Lionel Messi delivered another magical performance to inspire Argentina to a win over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.
The Paris Saint-Germain superstar had already scored three goals heading into the game. But he turned provider at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, slipping in Nahuel Molina to fire home 10 minutes before half-time with a wonderful pass.
Messi would go on to score a penalty in the second-half before the Netherlands launched a stunning comeback, with Wout Weghorst scoring two late goals to send the game into extra-time. Argentina would go on to win a penalty shoot-out to book their place in the final four, with Emiliano Martinez delivering a stunning display of goalkeeping to save two spot-kicks.
Here, Mirror Football looks at five of the biggest talking points as La Albiceleste set up a date with Croatia.
Messi magical once again
The World Cup is one of the only trophies Lionel Messi has not been able to win during his illustrious career. But he did everything he possibly can to end that barren run, having inspired his side throughout this year's tournament.
And he duly delivered more magic as he tried to help Lionel Scaloni's men book a place in the final four. With 10 minutes left of the first-half, Messi picked up the ball in midfield before playing a sublime pass through to Nahuel Molina who fired in.
It was a pass few other players would have been able to make as he spotted Molina running through the Netherlands defence. The superstar then stepped up after the break to emphatically smash home a penalty after Marcos Acuna had been tripped.
HAVE YOUR SAY! Who was your man of the match from Argentina's quarter-final clash with the Netherlands? Comment below.
Super-sub Weghorst
Much had been made of the options at Louis van Gaal's disposal in attacking positions heading into this clash. The Netherlands boss could call upon Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay and Steven Bergwijn, with Denzel Dumfries also impressing from right wing-back.
But it was a player who many considered was a flop in the Premier League who turned the game on its head. Burnley striker Wout Weghorst was thrown on with 12 minutes to go by Louis van Gaal and he delivered a stunning performance from the bench.
First he headed in from Steven Berghuis with seven minutes to go to put the pressure on Argentina. He then equalised at the death when Teun Koopmeiners slipped him in from a free-kick and he fired past Emiliano Martinez.
Scaloni's tactical masterstroke
Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has deployed five different formations in his side's five games at the World Cup so far. Against Australia, he lined his team up in a 4-3-3 system, which led to them beating the Socceroos in the Last 16.
Despite that success though, Scaloni opted to change his set-up once again for the quarter-final clash with the Netherlands. He decided to change to a 3-5-2 formation, directly matching-up against the system that the Netherlands have used throughout the tournament.
It proved to be a masterstroke for the most part, with Argentina blunting the Netherlands until they turned to their target men. Scaloni may need to look at how he adapts to that situation though, as his side began to look rattled when the Netherlands changed formation.
Argentina's favourites status takes a blow
The way Argentina fell apart from the last 10 minutes of normal time onwards will have been gut-wrenching for the supporters. But also spare a thought for Messi, with this likely one of his last chances to win the World Cup.
It looked like they would cruise through to the semi-finals after Messi had put them two goals up with his second-half penalty. The Netherlands fought back though and Argentina totally collapsed.
That will be a major concern for Argentina heading into the semi-finals, with their rivals undoubtedly emboldened. That could mean that that Messi may go through his career without winning the world's biggest tournament.
Last hurrah for Van Gaal
After more than 30 years in management, this tournament has been the final hurrah for Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman returned for his third spell in charge of his country following their embarrassing exit from Euro 2020.
Van Gaal had been much criticised throughout this tournament for his side's style of play. But it had proved effective in the group stage and in their Last 16 win over the United States.
They finally came unstuck at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, though Van Gaal did mastermind a late comeback from his troops. He opted to go back-to-basics late on, which proved to be a masterstroke as the Netherlands managed to equalise before crashing out on penalties.
