Sports

Thriller in Qatar: Argentina narrowly beat Netherlands on penalties

Published

4 years ago

December 10, 2022

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Lionel Messi delivered another magical performance to inspire Argentina to a win over the Netherlands in the quarter-finals of the World Cup.

The Paris Saint-Germain superstar had already scored three goals heading into the game. But he turned provider at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, slipping in Nahuel Molina to fire home 10 minutes before half-time with a wonderful pass.

Messi would go on to score a penalty in the second-half before the Netherlands launched a stunning comeback, with Wout Weghorst scoring two late goals to send the game into extra-time. Argentina would go on to win a penalty shoot-out to book their place in the final four, with Emiliano Martinez delivering a stunning display of goalkeeping to save two spot-kicks.

The World Cup is one of the only trophies Lionel Messi has not been able to win during his illustrious career. But he did everything he possibly can to end that barren run, having inspired his side throughout this year’s tournament.

And he duly delivered more magic as he tried to help Lionel Scaloni’s men book a place in the final four. With 10 minutes left of the first-half, Messi picked up the ball in midfield before playing a sublime pass through to Nahuel Molina who fired in.

It was a pass few other players would have been able to make as he spotted Molina running through the Netherlands defence. The superstar then stepped up after the break to emphatically smash home a penalty after Marcos Acuna had been tripped.

Much had been made of the options at Louis van Gaal’s disposal in attacking positions heading into this clash. The Netherlands boss could call upon Cody Gakpo, Memphis Depay and Steven Bergwijn, with Denzel Dumfries also impressing from right wing-back.

But it was a player who many considered was a flop in the Premier League who turned the game on its head. Burnley striker Wout Weghorst was thrown on with 12 minutes to go by Louis van Gaal and he delivered a stunning performance from the bench.

First he headed in from Steven Berghuis with seven minutes to go to put the pressure on Argentina. He then equalised at the death when Teun Koopmeiners slipped him in from a free-kick and he fired past Emiliano Martinez.

Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni has deployed five different formations in his side’s five games at the World Cup so far. Against Australia, he lined his team up in a 4-3-3 system, which led to them beating the Socceroos in the Last 16.

Despite that success though, Scaloni opted to change his set-up once again for the quarter-final clash with the Netherlands. He decided to change to a 3-5-2 formation, directly matching-up against the system that the Netherlands have used throughout the tournament.

It proved to be a masterstroke for the most part, with Argentina blunting the Netherlands until they turned to their target men. Scaloni may need to look at how he adapts to that situation though, as his side began to look rattled when the Netherlands changed formation.

The way Argentina fell apart from the last 10 minutes of normal time onwards will have been gut-wrenching for the supporters. But also spare a thought for Messi, with this likely one of his last chances to win the World Cup.

It looked like they would cruise through to the semi-finals after Messi had put them two goals up with his second-half penalty. The Netherlands fought back though and Argentina totally collapsed.

That will be a major concern for Argentina heading into the semi-finals, with their rivals undoubtedly emboldened. That could mean that that Messi may go through his career without winning the world’s biggest tournament.

After more than 30 years in management, this tournament has been the final hurrah for Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal. The Dutchman returned for his third spell in charge of his country following their embarrassing exit from Euro 2020.

Van Gaal had been much criticised throughout this tournament for his side’s style of play. But it had proved effective in the group stage and in their Last 16 win over the United States.

They finally came unstuck at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, though Van Gaal did mastermind a late comeback from his troops. He opted to go back-to-basics late on, which proved to be a masterstroke as the Netherlands managed to equalise before crashing out on penalties.

Related Topics:Argentina Netherlands World Cup

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Lionel Messi retires from international football

Published

3 weeks ago

August 31, 2026

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Argentina football legend, Lionel Messi, has drawn the curtain on his international football with Argentina after an illustrious career with the South American nation.

The 39-year-old made a total of 207 appearances, announced his retirement on Monday.

He won the World Cup in 2022, and was a runner-up in 2026 and 2014. He also secured two Copa América titles.

Messi wrote in a statement, “It was a decision that hurt – and still hurts deep down – but I understand that the time has come. I swear to you that I always gave it my all – not just in these last few years when we won everything, but before that too; I always fought and left everything on the field for this jersey, to bring you joy and make you feel proud to be Argentine through football.

“Time is running short, chapters come to a close, and this is one that hurts me deeply. I love, have loved, and will always love being part of the national team. I’ve given everything I had; I have nothing left to give, and besides, there are some great young players coming up who deserve to be here.”

Messi, who made 207 appearances and reached three World Cup finals, is widely regarded by fans worldwide as the greatest footballer ever.

Sports

Tinubu orders comprehensive reform of Nigerian football after resignation of NFF board

Published

3 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered a comprehensive reform of Nigerian football to ensure the national football team overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments.

“The reform must respond to a longstanding need to strengthen governance, administration, stakeholder representation, development pathways, domestic competitions and accountability across Nigerian football,” he said.

Tinubu, according to a statement on Thursday by Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesperson, made the decision to help the country “overcome repeated failures to qualify for major regional, continental and world tournaments”.

“Football, Nigeria’s most popular sport and the greatest beneficiary of public support, investment and national attention, has continued to struggle basically due to structural deficits within the system,” the president said.

The President noted that while other sports had recorded meaningful progress since the reset of the sports sector under the re-established National Sports Commission, football has continued to struggle because of structural weaknesses within the system.

He stressed that Nigerian football must begin to match the country’s exceptional talent, passion and resources with stronger institutions and sustained performance.

President Tinubu directed the Chairman of the National Sports Commission to work with the NFF Secretariat and relevant football stakeholders to ensure continuity in essential football administration and facilitate a broad, consultative reform process.

The process will include appropriate engagement with FIFA and CAF while safeguarding Nigeria’s obligations within the international football framework.

The President called on football stakeholders and Nigerians to support the transition and work together to build a stronger, more accountable and successful football system.

Sports

Ibrahim Gusau confirms resignation as NFF president, Mohammed Sanusi steps down as general secretary

Published

3 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

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Ibrahim Gusau has confirmed his resignation as the president of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF).

The former chairman officially announced his resignation at a press conference held in Abuja on Thursday.

He said: “After consultation with family, friends and stakeholders, I just want to tell you that I have decided to resign from my position.

“As Nigerians, nobody is greater than this country. We all love our country and its progress. And as people who have been in football and managing football, we need to look at ourselves and ask, ‘What next?’ so we made a lot of consultations.”

Gusau added that he also advised members of the NFF board to follow his footsteps. He clarified, however, that he cannot say whether they would heed his advice.

A few minutes after Gusau’s announcement, the NFF, on its X page, confirmed the resignation of Mohammed Sanusi as the federation’s general secretary.

The mass resignation comes a few weeks after the Super Falcons failed to qualify for the women’s World Cup for the first time since the competition’s inception. The disappointment triggered backlash for the NFF board members.

According to rumours, the NFF leadership was pressured to step down after intervention from top brass of the Federal Government, from the National Sports Commission (NSC) to the presidency.

Gusau was elected NFF president in 2022, and his tenure was supposed to end next month, with an elective congress scheduled for September 27.

The fate of the congress is uncertain as reports claim that a normalisation committee will be set up to oversee the federation’s affairs until further notice.

Under Gusau’s leadership, the Super Eagles, like the Falcons, also failed to qualify for the men’s 2026 World Cup, despite Africa getting 10 slots for the first time. The failure also extended to age-grade football, with the men’s U-17 and U-20 teams missing out on World Cups.