Lionel Messi's World Cup dream is still alive, with Argentina managing to squeeze past the Netherlands in their World Cup quarter-final this evening.
It was a game where the Argentines looked like the better team for much of the contest, largely thanks to their captain.
Messi produced a wonderful assist in the first half, picking out Nahuel Molina with a stunning pass to score the opening goal.
That Messi pass is even better from this angle. #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Ob4Kwfz5Ww
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) December 9, 2022
When he scored a penalty late in the second half, it looked like it was game over. However, two very late strikes from substitute Wout Weghorst would send the game to extra-time and eventually penalties.
In the end, Argentina would manage to finish off the job.
Lionel Messi clashes with Louis van Gaal
It was an ill-tempered affair between the two sides, with a huge amount of yellow cards dished out by the Spanish referee. The teams clashed on an number of occasions throughout the game, including after a nasty tackle from Leandro Paredes late on.
Van Dijk absolutely bodied Paredes here 😭 #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/mqyAWOu1l3
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) December 9, 2022
That was not forgotten after the game.
Louis van Gaal had made a few comments about Lionel Messi in the buildup to the fixture, saying it would not be a big task to stop the PSG man.
It’s not that difficult to come up with an answer as to how to stop him. You might want to block and close the passing lines. I can’t see this creating too much of a hoo-ha.
Between those comments and the bad blood during the game, Messi made sure to exchange a few words with the Dutch boss when heading off the pitch.
Louis van Gaal criticó a Messi en la previa del partido entre Argentina y Países Bajos, Messi en el final lo fue a buscar..!!! pic.twitter.com/KgEBjTO7Tx
— Matias_Clima_Meteo 🇺🇾 (@AficionadoMeteo) December 9, 2022
⚠️ MESSI TELLING VAN GAAL THAT HE TALKS TOO MUCH BEFORE THE GAME 😳#FIFAWorldCup #Qatar2022 #ARG #NED pic.twitter.com/y3affNqzVY
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) December 9, 2022
Lionel Messi had words for Louis van Gaal and the Netherlands staff after the match 😮 pic.twitter.com/Wq71WxYWnV
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) December 9, 2022
That continued in the post-match interviews.
When doing a television interview, Messi seen a member of the Dutch camp pass by and asked them (roughly translated) 'what are you looking at, keep going idiot'.
Leo Messi à Van Gaal le boucher :
« Qu'est-ce que tu regardes ?
Continue, imbécile »
😭😭😭😭😭
pic.twitter.com/luMZK3VVCf— Messi France 🇦🇷🇵🇸 (@MessiFrance_) December 9, 2022
Not happy.
He would then go on to criticise van Gaal's tactics.
🚨 Messi: “Van Gaal says that they play good football, but what he did was put tall people and hit long balls” #FIFAWorldCup
— Reshad Rahman ✆ (@ReshadRahman_) December 9, 2022
This will be van Gaal's last match in charge of the Netherlands, with Messi having the last laugh.
It's clear the two won't be heading out for dinner together any time soon.
SEE ALSO: Everyone Should Have Seen Wout Weghorst Equaliser Coming
