By Victor Kanayo
Football star, Lionel Messi is still hoping a World Cup after Argentina held to the last moments to eventually beat Netherlands 4-3 in the pulsating quarter-final match on Friday night.
The Argentines subdued the Dutch to submission to reach semis after late night drama.
Argentina will now face Croatia in the World Cup semi-final.
This was after a thrilling 2-2 extra-time draw on a night of high World Cup cracker of an encounter.
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was the hero in the shootout after the South Americans let a two-goal lead slip in the final minutes of normal time after Lionel Messi had put them on the brink of the last four.
Wout Weghorst scored two dramatic late goals, the second from a remarkably inventive free-kick in the 11th minute of stoppage time, as the Netherlands fought back with seven minutes of normal time remaining to force extra-time.
Argentine had looked well set to reach the last four after Messi conjured up a brilliant assist for Nahuel Molina and a clinical goal from the penalty spot.
Wout Weghorst equalised in the dying seconds of injury time to force the game into extra-time and a penalty shoot-out after the two sides could not be separated.
But Argentina held their nerve and Emi Martinez was the hero as he saved from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis.
Lautaro Martinez scored the winning penalty after Enzo Fernandez had missed the chance to send his side through to the semi-final.
Just hours after Brazil and Neymar crashed out of the tournament on penalties to the Croats, Argentina survived to keep South American interest in the competition.
