It was an image that spoke volumes. All bar two of Argentina’s players had run to the far corner flag, taking it in turns to leap atop the bundle that had formed around Lautaro Martínez. He had just scored the penalty that confirmed their place in the semi-finals, shaking off the scare caused by Wout Weghorst and the Netherlands.
Across the pitch from them lay Emiliano Martínez, splayed over the turf and thumping the ground with his fists. The goalkeeper was not alone for long: while everyone else had sprinted left, Lionel Messi made a beeline to the right. The pair embraced in a clinch that may yet come to define their side’s campaign.
