Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk showed Leandro Paredes who's the boss by brutally shoving the Argentina international to the floor during Friday night's fiery clash.
The World Cup quarter-final at the Lusail Stadium was decided on penalties - with Argentina winning - after a thrilling clash. It seemed as if Lionel Messi had inspired his country to victory after setting up Nahuel Molina's opener and scoring from the spot.
Yet the Netherlands completed an unlikely comeback through Wout Weghorst, who scored a late brace to send the game to extra-time and then penalties. Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero in the shootout, saving two penalties to win the game.
The incident between Van Dijk and Parades unfolded in the 88th minute of the tense encounter between the two nations. Paredes angered Van Dijk by producing a wild, late challenge on Nathan Ake and needlessly smashing the ball into the Netherlands bench.
As several members of the Dutch squad approached the playing surface to confront Parades, Van Dijk took matters into his own hands. The Liverpool defender raced over to Parades and brutally shoulder-barged the Juventus midfielder to the floor.
The Netherlands fought desperately to keep their hopes alive. Weghorst's first goal came in the 83rd minute and the former Burnley striker completed his brace with almost the last kick of normal time, which added another 30 minutes to the clock.
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Neither team could find the breakthrough in extra-time, which resulted in penalties. Van Dijk took the first spot kick but was denied by Aston Villa goalkeeper Martinez. Messi replied by confidently rolling the ball into the net to give Argentina the advantage.
Martinez then denied former Watford winger Steven Berghuis before Paredes made it 2-0 to enjoy the last laugh. Enzo Fernandez could've been the hero - but he missed his penalty - before Inter Milan's Lautaro Martinez finished the job for Argentina.
One of the big talking points of Friday night's game was Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who showed 15 yellow cards. Chelsea and Manchester City fans will remember him, as he refereed the 2021 Champions League final between the two English sides.
Argentina will face Croatia in the semi-finals of the World Cup after they defeated Brazil on penalties at the Education City Stadium earlier on Friday. The winners of that game will then face one of England, France, Portugal or Morocco in the final on December 18.
"Wow, breath-taking," said BBC pundit Rio Ferdinand. "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 [and it] goes to penalties."
Ferdinand added: "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."
