Argentina confirmed their place in the World Cup semi-finals with a penalty shoot-out victory against the Netherlands in a fiery knockout game which saw 17 yellow cards brandished. Argentina went two goals in front before being pegged back in the final ten minutes, but the Copa America champions were able to secure the victory on penalties.
Lionel Messi played a pivotal role in his nation's goals after setting up Nahuel Molina for the opener, the Paris Saint-Germain star then scored from the penalty spot after Marcos Acuna was fouled by Denzel Dumfries with the Dutch having not registered a shot on target up to that point.
The introduction of Wout Weghorst from Louis Van Gaal changed the game for the Netherlands though as the former Burnley striker scored twice in the final 20 minutes of the game. After powering home a header seven minutes before the end of the 90, Weghorst finished a clever short free kick routine in the final seconds of stoppage time.
READ MORE: Chelsea's Thiago Silva makes heartbreaking Brazil admission amid huge hint after Tite decision
With so much on the line and tensions high the game boiled over on many occasions with one brawl occurring after Leandro Paredes fouled Nathan Ake right in front of the Dutch bench before smashing the ball in the direction of the Netherlands substitutes.
As he was in the Copa American, Emiliano Martinez was Argentina's hero on penalties as he saved the Netherlands' first two spot-kicks. Enzo Fernandez dragged his effort wide, but Lautaro Martinez was on hand as his nation's fifth penalty taker to set up a last four clash against Croatia.
More arguments broke out after the completion of the penalty shoot-out with Dumfries sent off and despite Argentina advancing at the expense of the Netherlands, Messi and Martinez still had plenty to say following the game.
The Argentina captain, mid-interview, was distracted by something to his right before saying, "What you looking at, idiot? Go on, f*** off over there." While Martinez, who plays in the Premier League for Aston Villa, responded to Van Gaal's claim the Netherlands would have an advantage in penalties, both on and off the pitch.
After being integral to Argentina's shootout win, Martinez said: "I heard [Louis] Van Gaal saying 'we've got an advantage in penalties, if we go to penalties, we win' I think he needs to keep his mouth shut".
Following on from this fixture, any future games between these two teams are surely set to be box-office football with drama at it's peak if Friday's World Cup quarter-final is anything to go by.
READ NEXT:
When is the World Cup final and who are the predicted winners?
World Cup yellow card and suspension rules explained ahead of England's quarter final vs France
Next World Cup games: Quarter-final fixtures, dates and TV channels
Why Kylian Mbappe missed France training ahead of England World Cup quarter-final
When England will play World Cup quarter-final and who they will face after Senegal win
Full list of Arsenal players going to Qatar 2022 World Cup including Thomas Partey decision
Full list of Chelsea transfer targets going to Qatar 2022 World Cup amid Boehly scouting mission
Full list of Tottenham players going to Qatar 2022 World Cup as Eric Dier, Rodrigo Bentancur in
