Netherlands vs Argentina has been absolutely box office, as World Cup 2022 delivers more drama
(Image credit: Evrim Aydin/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Even BBC commentator Jonathan Pearce was sick of the referee by the end of the World Cup 2022 quarter-final between the Netherlands and Argentina.
Referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz dished out over a dozen bookings – angering former Argentina man Sergio Aguero watching on – and the Spaniard couldn't even keep his cards in his pocket during the penalty shootout.
"I've given up," Pearce sighed, exasperated as Mateu Lahoz brandished his last few cards, not even knowing who'd been given them. The Robot Wars legend even commented that he didn't think the official would be asked back for the rest of the tournament, such was his erratic and booking-happy display. Many on social media described the performance as poor, with some calling it "nonsense".
Referee Antonio Miguel Mateu Lahoz looks on during the World Cup 2022 Group B match between Iran and USA (Image credit: Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)
WELL THEN 😳Wout Weghorst's second goal sends it to extra-time! 😱#BBCFootball #BBCWorldCup pic.twitter.com/2pVsJhuKQfDecember 9, 2022
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What finished with fireworks at the end of regulation time started off particularly sluggishly. Both sides seemed cautious to work each other out with the first shot on target coming after half an hour – but when the breakthrough came, it had to be the man himself who was the mastermind behind it. Lionel Messi didn’t score Argentina’s opener but after separating himself from Nathan Ake, he managed to slide an impossible no-look pass through the Dutch backline and onto the on-rushing Nahuel Molina to convert. The best assist of the World Cup so far? Quite probably.
Sure enough, the little genius wanted a piece of the action for himself. Messi was on hand to convert a penalty after 70 minutes when Denzel Dumfries was deemed to have fouled Marcos Acuna, calmly thwacking the ball past Andries Noppert – and it looked like the Albaceleste were marching towards the semi-final of the World Cup once more without breaking too much of a sweat.
Mark White has been at on FourFourTwo since joining in January 2020, first as a staff writer before becoming content editor in 2023. An encyclopedia of football shirts and boots knowledge – both past and present – Mark has also represented FFT at both FA Cup and League Cup finals (though didn't receive a winners' medal on either occasion) and has written pieces for the mag ranging on subjects from Bobby Robson's season at Barcelona to Robinho's career. He has written cover features for the mag on Mikel Arteta and Martin Odegaard, and is assisted by his cat, Rosie, who has interned for the brand since lockdown.
