Argentina players showed a complete lack of class by mocking the Netherlands squad after beating them in a penalty shoot-out.
In a thrilling World Cup quarter-final, which had a number of flashpoints, Lionel Scaloni 's men booked their place in the semis by claiming a 4-2 win on penalties. Nahuel Molina had put Argentina ahead before Lionel Messi scored a second-half penalty to give them control.
But Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal masterminded a stunning comeback from his troops as Argentina collapsed in the final 10 minutes. Burnley flop Wout Weghorst came off the bench to score twice and send the game into extra-time.
Neither side could find a breakthrough in those added 30 minutes though, with a penalty shootout deciding the match. Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis both saw their spot-kicks saved by Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina scored all four of their penalties to send them through to the semi-finals where they will face Croatia. But as they sprinted away from the halfway line to celebrate with Martinez, they showed a distinct lack of sportsmanship.
As Lautaro Martinez coolly slotted past Andries Noppert, some Argentina players turned towards the dejected Netherlands squad. Those five players all screamed loudly in celebration and even pulled poses.
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Nicolas Otamendi raised his hands behind his ears, Leandro Paredes raised a fist in celebration and Gonzalo Montiel pumped his hands in celebration. Alexis Mac Allister, German Pezzella and Angel Di Maria were also involved, screaming towards the Netherlands players.
The rest of the Argentina squad focused on the two Martinez's who had sent their side through to the semi-finals. But the behaviour of their team-mates was distasteful and classless following a fiery encounter.
A total of 48 fouls were awarded by referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz, with a number of bust-ups throughout the game. Those ugly scenes continued after the final whistle, with Lahoz ultimately dishing out 15 yellow cards overall.
Former Manchester United star Rio Ferdinand was left speechless by the thrilling tie. And he hailed the game as an immediate classic of a World Cup clash, which capped off a stunning day of the tournament after Brazil crashed out to Croatia.
"Wow, breathtaking. Ups and downs, this is what football is about, we’ve had so many feelings in one evening. The Argentinians were 2-0 up, cruising and then the shift from the Dutch team goes to penalties and then they’re cruising again," he told BBC Sport.
"It looks like they’re going to throw the towel in then the tides turns again. It’s beautiful, there’s needle out there, off the ball, there’s so many different things that played in this game that added to the spectacle."
Argentina will now face Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday at the Lusail Stadium. Whether they celebrate in the same way if they are able to win once again remains to be seen.
