Argentina are under investigation by FIFA following the scenes during their World Cup quarter-final win over the Netherlands. Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz issued more 17 yellow cards and showed Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries a red card after the game ended.
Lionel Messi helped lead his nation to a penalty shootout victory over the Netherlands in what was a repeat of the 2014 semi-final, when Argentina won on penalties after a goalless draw in Brazil. The match boiled over on a number of occasions as tempers flared after substitute Leandro Paredes hacked down Nathan Ake before blasting the ball towards the Netherlands bench.
The referee left both teams frustrated with his decisions as there were more arguments and confrontations after the final whistle. Messi's anger continued in his post-match interview as he was seen shouting towards Netherlands striker Wout Weghorst in the tunnel.
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Argentina will now face Croatia in the semi-finals after Brazil were dumped out of the competition following their shock penalty shootout defeat in the first quarter-final tie. FIFA have released a statement as they begin their investigation into the actions that unfolded between Argentina and the Netherlands.
"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association due to potential breaches of articles 12 (Misconduct of players and officials) and 16 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during the Netherlands v. Argentina FIFA World Cup™ match that took place on 9 December," the statement read.
"Additionally, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Dutch Football Association due to potential breaches of article 12 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code in relation to the same match."
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