Messi is playing out of his mind this tournament lol. Multiple moments of magic. The way he took his penalty in the shootout too was cold blooded. No fear. Looking like the greatest of all time 🐐
I agree. It's as if God himself is guiding Messi to glory. He just seems so secure within himself. It's a joy to watch an all-time great be so in the zone, that they're literally glowing.
@@mattlennon7628 Modric was part of a strong team that won that game because of a collective effort, against an Argentina side was completely different to the one now. Only three starters remain from that side. Their defence was terrible at that tournament too... That was underlined by the fact they conceded 7 goals to Croatia and France.
The only reason Argentina started falling apart, in my opinion, is similar to what happened in the Australia game. Scaloni decides to go on the defensive and make the subs to play defense and protect the lead. Argentina's best defense is possession. Not sitting in the back. Australia too, almost came back for this reason.
Messi used to be quiet and people said he was not fit to be a leader, in this world cup he has been loud and assertive to lead the team. He became exactly what Argentina needed him to be
The greatest dribbler in history The greatest passer of the ball The greatest playmaker in history The greatest goal scorer in history The greatest player of all times The Assist king LIONEL ANDRES MESSI
@@benjaminhendriksen of all the players in the world saying Messi has 0 sportsmanship just sounds silly. The dude is a class act throughout is whole career
@@littlecat2222 If you mean that Modric is better than Messi at this tournament that is debatable but if we're talking all time, with all due respect to Modric, he is nowhere close to Messi.
This ref was definitely a nutcase. Not even like he was favoring a team, he just clearly lost the plot and both Argentina and Holland had to deal with him🤦♂️the guy literally had to run to the side ref before kickoff cuz he forgot to do the coin toss
Was it though, I legit saw it coming ngl. It was either that or the Netherland wall jumps and they play a low ball towards one Corner. Same with the first free kick they got a few minutes earlier. I don’t know why that kinda of wall is actually allowed in my opinion
Messi is in incredible form this World Cup. He would have had 5 goals now if Szczesny didn't save that penalty for Poland in the group stages. I'm a Messi fan but I have to admit that I've doubted him so many times when it comes to international games but I'm glad he's proven me wrong recently because I want him and Argentina to win the World Cup. Vamos, vamos, Argentina!
@@gigidawide6033 Good point. His poor form in some international matches in the past must have been partly due to the lack of unity from their team or their disjointed squad but ever since Scaloni took over, I had more hope for Argentina. The shift of mentality has been big for their team and it's like some weight has been lifted from Messi's shoulders and he does tend to play better when that has been the case. While I can't fully blame his teammates, I do understand where you are coming from and I'm glad that experience has made Messi better and I quite like how he plays nowadays because he's been more cerebral and calculated rather than using his pace.
Argentina keep raising the bar. That penalty shootout was something epic. It's as if they're just destined for glory here and will not be denied. That Argentine goalkeeper deserves enormous credit of course, but the entire team rose to the challenge cause the Dutch side made them earn it, and that's always the best way to prove your worth. Argentina have earned their trip to the semis beyond all expectations. Vamos!!!
What bar are you talking about? 😂 Bc they’ve BARELY won their knockout matches.. Messi is carrying Argentina, it’s good for them that he’s in great form. But if drops a bit of his level for whatever reason, Argentina are done. And yes Emi is a beast GK, but that’s not enough
@@earnestliving What bar, you ask? Well, they were pushed to the limit in that match and still managed to triumph despite all the stuff the Dutch threw at them. That's the bar. The bar that allows a team to foil a rabid opponent under hellish pressure, the bar that says you may think you have what it takes, but we know different. That's the bar Argentina raised and backed up with their performance. They earned that win the old-fashioned way: by completely depleting their opponents, both physically and mentally. The fact that the match ultimately became closer in the end just added for a lot of drama and excitement, but, alas, there can only be one winner and that's the team that never loses its focus and goes the extra distance by, you guessed it: raising the bar. A smart man wouldn't underestimate that kind of a team or belittle its winning efforts. Cheers!
@@valsainking quit with the fantasies and biased dreamy intake 😂 what really happened here was that argentina slacked for some minutes and almost paid the price. They let their guard down or if Messi’s for some reason is stopped, they will not be able to win. Netherlands had been performing in a mediocre way too, and they still almost lost to them. So no sir, there’s no such bar like that. Ground yourself to the reality.
If this is how Messi is going to play for next four years, this World Cup is definitely not his last dance. I won't be surprised if Messi returns in 2026 after winning one or two more Copa America with this team. Unbelievable is Messi and cohesion in this team!
Credit to Emiliano Martinez 🫡🙏 A true Argentina hero. When Lautaro scored the winning penalty every player ran towards him and hugged him and celebrated , but only Messi was the one who ran towards Emi. Messi knows Emi is the one who has saved his legacy. Copa against Colombia and now this. Crazy this guy is. Emiliano v Livakovic… Bring it one 🔥
Actually had the netherlands went to the offensive, they would've won. Argentina are mentally weak and defensively fragile team (I can't blame them after multiple heartbreaks at the final 2014, 15, and 16) and just a bit of pressure by Australia and them proved how effective it was. So why not do it from the start?
@@sumomaster5585 if they had started with offensive they would be more tired which will make argentina easier..thier plan was to go on pens..but argentina could have won in last 5mints were enzo hit the post,deflection,lautaro s shot which hit vandick..but argentina was cool as ice in penaltys
@@sumomaster5585 I would usually agree that Argentina are a fragile team but there is a key difference between 14,15,16 teams and this one, they won the copa america. Their confidence and belief is far greater than it once was. Those teams would have lost the shootout. The character is there, call it disrespectful if you want but they have guts, never backed down from the fight. But I agree the Netherlands let em off the hook in extra time but that's not Argentinas fault, they stupidly relied on penalties and they paid the price
Croatia's midfield is perhaps the best in the World Cup with Modric, Kovacic and Brozovic. Mixture of passing, dribbling , defensive and shooting ability. It will be a tough match but Argentina can do it.
@Netaji-The British Slayer So did Brazil, they had atleast 5 attacking players that can change the game but they were all stifled out for most of the game. I still think Argentina will beat them though.
@@j-money1354 lmao bruh Messi is just too good to be compared with Maradona , yeah Maradona was great , but Messi is just on a different level , This Argentina team isn't the best , but still because of Messi they came all this way , Give the Goat some credit even though u don't like him. 🇦🇷❤️
@@j-money1354 Great player, but Messi's longevity and consistency over his career is what sets him apart. This is a player who's been performing exceptionally for 15 years. And while Maradona was phenomenal in 86, he was 26 at the time; and that was his only standout international tournament, where he also had the fortune of his teammates scoring three goals to win the final. Messi didn't have that same luck in the 2014 final, which is why Maradona won a world cup and Messi didn't. And while 4 years later Maradona did reach another final, he wasn't key in that, given he managed just one assist and 0 goals. Meanwhile, Messi at 35 is doing something similar to what Maradona did as a 26 year old, in an evolved era where he's facing more organised defences, superior athletes and at a time where the game is at it's quickest. He's taken things to another level over his career.
Messi is not the greatest ever lmfao u sound like a fan boi drooling over a sub par washed player who’s constantly helped by Refs left n right to further his “legacy” when there isn’t even one anymore. 🗑🗑
MESSI MESSI MESSI, Can't stop loving him!!! THe GOAT! 👑💯 And Our WALL, The GREAT WALL, Emi MARTINEZ u Beauty! 🔥👏 We are in the SEMIS!!! 😍 VAMOS ARGENTINA 🇦🇷
@@ganrev3796 When you run out of things to hate on this Genuis so you come up with his handball in the middle of the field while facing the Holland keeper
Fair play to Messi. One of the best performances of the WC so far. Went first to take the penalty like a real captain and it’s not easy to score twice in the same game.
Lol everytime Argentina win, the other team played poorly. Don't worry they will lift the world cup, we don't have to be beautiful, we have to be effective. Look at Brazil. All that flair and pomp. Went out against a very pragmatic side in Croatia. Keep calm and believe in Messi
Argentina moving more inches closer for the Cup..congrats...especially to Messi who once again played his heart out for his country. With their main rival Brazil gone home, they should be now fully focus on beating Croatia to move on to the finals..."Team Messi Argentina".....Lets go!!!!!
And they say Men don't cry. That free kick from Netherland was slick.Every country don't have Messi. After 2-2 draw and the shots hitting pole,lautaro being denied at 2nd half of extra min. made me lost hope.And Martinez again showed how good he was at penalty shootout. Martinez obviously was the hero.Besides I want to see Di Maria playing more min.
Any one else getting the same feeling from Argentina with Real Madrid's in last year's Champs-League? Several times seemed they were out but got through & got through & got through, then won it! With Brazil out & today either France/England is out too, that's 2 teams that 'could' beat Argentina, gone. Though that Croatia team could do a number on any one, they too have a little, spellbinding wizard! This Argentina team has many similarities with Maradona's 1986 team. Messi has really driven his team on, has the highest average match rating of all players so far, so atm MOTT. Their fans are there in force, they know it's Messi's last WC, to see that sea of pale blue/white stripes, what a base to feed off. Football will miss Messi like no other player in it's history.
Argentina needed this sort of game, in the last 10mins of the game, a lot of the players started playing dirty, fouling the opponent stupidly, which almost cost them the game, had the Netherlands kept pushing in ET instead of sitting back, they would have won this game. Hopefully those players learn from this game, that game is not over until it's over.
Es bueno ver al legendario portero Martínez parar penales en su camino hacia la victoria en la Copa del Mundo. Estaba seguro de que Martínez salvaría la tanda de penaltis, solo hay dos partidos que separan a Argentina de ganar el Mundial. Somos de Irak. Apoyamos a la selección argentina. Me encanta la leyenda, Leo Messi 🇮🇶❤️🇦🇷🤙
Realistically Argentina are out of their depth. That's why they didn't want Brazil in the semis cuz they know they aren't really strong team. The final team from the other group will surely be the favorite against Argentina or Croatia
@@sumomaster5585 Lmaoo Brazil got dogged by Croatia who play like a Walmart Argentina, fact Is Brazil has been ducking Argentina since last year. Last time Brazil scored against Argentina was 3 years ago. Croatia would be a tougher match up to win then Brazil. Brazil are simple frauds catapulted by sheeps like these pundits
@@kleston8692 No shame in that, not every team is Brazil of 2002 but the thing is, this team is defensively fragile, wasteful in front of the goal and mentally weak. Compare that to France in 2018...they didn't play great football but each chance counted and their defence was solid. That's how you win tournaments
Messi in this tournament has proved to many doubters why he’s better than anyone their delusional minds wants to be better than him. No one else can make an assist like that not even KDB, Fabregas or Ozil. He’s carrying this team clearly but this team is behind him a 100% not many big name players but they are leaving their hearts out their on the pitch and I really hope they win it but win or lose this magical little man is undoubtedly the greatest there is, was and will ever be.
The argentine players get to feel this pressure at a very young age , they are 16 or 17 and they have to go play away at La Bombonera or El monumental or they have to go to Rosario where the pressure of the games are even crazier than in Buenos Aires
Scaloni should be given some credit what a team he has built here, the boys are fighting for Messi and that’s without starlets like Dybala,Lautarro and etc🙌🏽💎🔥🔥
He is a good coach, he has managed to gel the team together. Something that other coaches apart from Sabela were not able to do. He is good but he is not perfect.
Messi's pass is a phenomenon, for that assist. Magician! Watch the replay for that assist. The pass, he literally passed the ball through the defender. As if Ake wasn't a tangible object.
De Jong have the best performance among all Barca players in the world cup, just wait soon you will see that shitty manager bench him for a finished Busquet and an imature Gavi
The moment De Paul and Romero were subbed, the problems for Argentina defensively became huge especially with those crosses. Argentina needs to keep the ball and keep pressure, they gave the ball willingly to Netherlands at the end. Anyway, maybe this needed to happen so Argentina, it was big psychological test and they passed successfuly. Croatia won't be so confident this time if they rely on penalties against Argentina, because Emiliano Martinez is beast too.
Croatia will be a very difficult game but if Argentina can defend well and produce at least one goal in regular time, they can go through. Croatia is an amazing team but they don't have the same attacking talent as Brazil or Argentina. Neutralize that attack, get one good goal, and check the ticket to the final.
@@pritapp788 But if they go 2-0 like in the last 2 games... I dont think Croatia can hold out until penalty. One shot in 90 minutes aint good enough and you know it.
While some "goats" watch their team score 6 goals from the bench, the actual GOAT carries his country on his back every game, every tournament. Lionel Messi 🐐
The GOAT is 38 years old, and his age has caught up with him. While he has carried Portugal for 4 tournaments, it is nice that he has a team that can carry him for a change. He has given his all for Portugal.
That Durch free kick in the very last second that scored the goal was brilliant! I have seen thousands of free kicks from that position and they always go over the wall - but to pass the ball to a player standing in the wall? Fantastic! But I will say one thing here - Argentina will be knocked out by Croatia, no doubt at all!
really, you are that impressed lolss you should watch more football, your head will explode when you see something good. argentina did same in wc previously. has been done many times before. netherlands were very poor throughout game. then at end they lump ball forward in hope 🤦♂️🤦♂️🤦♂️
Everyone complaining about bad sportsmanship from Argentina, what about half the Netherlands defenders holding Messi's shirt and throwing him around. The little man was fantastic today. Go Argentina!!!!
messi was awesome, i have bet on argentina to win wc, hope they do! but wat are you talking about? argentina did show bad sportsmanship! just cause you supporting a team.doesnt mean you cant see whats happening and be honest
@@sambog2635 They are more inclined to the give respect , take respect philosophy. The Dutch should have stopped running their mouth , if the expected sportsmanship.
It would have been incredibly unfair if the Netherlands won. Argentina were clearly the better team and the Netherlands were just playing basketball at one point.
I think the struggles of this game...giving up 2-0 lead...going to PK might be better for Argentina than just rolling past Netherland with a clean sheet...because...Croatia will make them suffer big time..this game is preparation for what's coming...
I notice that most of the people who cry in here are not Dutch fans. They are Ronaldo fans. We all should enjoy football and especially enjoy the greatness of Messi. We should consider ourselves lucky to see Messi play because our grandkids can only see the replays.
![Messi & Argentina ADVANCE to the World Cup semifinal [FULL REACTION] | ESPN FC](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
