<div><span style="font-size: 1rem;">Argentina will face Croatia in the World Cup semi-finals after beating the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties following a thrilling 2-2 extra-time draw on a night of high World Cup drama, reports BSS/AFP.</span><br></div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>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.</div><div><br></div><div>The Lusail Stadium felt like home for Argentina with at least three quarters of the 88,235 crowd backing the South American team and only a smattering of orange shirts in the crowd.</div><div><br></div><div>But all were treated to a thrilling late night drama that finally reached its conclusion just before 1 a.m. local time.</div><div><br></div><div>After a cagey start, Messi produced a moment of inspiration, ten minutes before the interval, to create the opener for his team.</div><div><br></div><div>Offering no clues of his intent, he split open the Dutch defence with a sublime reverse pass between Daley Blind and Virgil van Dijk into the path of Nahuel Molina who timed his run perfectly and slotted home with the outside of his foot.</div><div>Dutch coach Luis van Gaal responded at the break by making a double change, bringing Teun Koopmeiners and Steven Berghuis on into midfield in place of Bergwijn and Marten De Roon.</div><div><br></div><div>But while the Dutch saw plenty of the ball their play remained too predictable and guileless.&nbsp;</div><div><br></div><div>bnbd24/fas</div>