Messi is two wins away from the one title that has eluded him. Argentina did what Brazil could not Friday, surviving a late defensive collapse, a slew of yellow cards and penalty kicks to advance to the semifinals, writes nrarmour for usatodaysports.
But much like Brazil in the first quarterfinal, Argentina couldn’t hold the lead in the dying minutes of regulation.
But unlike Brazil, which was at a decided disadvantage to Croatia, emotionally and tactically, it was Argentina that had the upper hand. Noppert had not started for the Netherlands before this World Cup, making this his first penalty shootout, while Emiliano Martinez thrives on pressure situations like this.
And just like in regulation, he soft-touched it past Noppert. He at least moved this time, but Noppert went the wrong way and Messi held his arms out as the ball settled into the net.
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