Messi hits out at Dutch coach after hot-tempered World Cup clash (VIDEO)

Lionel Messi was critical of the Dutch team's tactics following a chaotic World Cup clash which set a record for the most yellow cards given Read Full Article at RT.com

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Dec 10, 2022 - 13:00
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Messi hits out at Dutch coach after hot-tempered World Cup clash (VIDEO)

Argentina triumphed over the Netherlands in a heated World Cup quarter final

Lionel Messi was highly critical of the Netherlands’ approach in a heated FIFA World Cup quarter final, which set a new record for the most yellow cards issued in a single game in the tournament’s history.

Argentina triumphed in a penalty shootout after two dramatic late goals from Dutch substitute Wout Weghorst brought the game to extra time and, ultimately, penalties – but speaking after the clash, the Paris Saint-Germain star hit out the Netherlands for resorting to what he suggested were crude, long-ball tactics to draw level.

“[Dutch coach] Van Gaal says that they play good football, but what he did was put on tall people and hit long balls,” said Messi, who assisted Argentina’s first goal with a sublime through ball to Nahuel Molina and later doubled their advantage from the penalty spot.

However, the late intervention of the 6ft 6in Weghorst threatened to break Argentine hearts in what was a bad-tempered clash which saw a remarkable 18 yellow cards issued by match referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, several of which came after the Dutch substitutes’ bench reacted angrily to Leandro Paredes powering the ball towards the Netherlands dugout after fouling Nathan Ake.

Remarkably, just one player – the Netherlands’ Denzel Dumfries – was given a red card after the conclusion of the penalty kicks.

“I don't want to talk about the referee because you can’t be honest. If you talk they sanction you, FIFA must think about it, they can't put a referee like that for these instances, they can't put a referee who isn’t up to the task,” Messi added afterwards.