FIFA 2022: Lionel Messi and Emi Martinez not pleased with Van Gaal after quarterfinal against Netherlands
Argentina progressed into the semifinals of the FIFA World Cup in Qatar by defeating the Netherlands 4-3 via penalties after playing a sensational 2-2 stalemate that got extended to extra time at Lusail Stadium on Saturday. But some players weren’t happy with the refereeing and Van Gaal’s tactics and they heavily criticised them after the game. These include the likes of Lionel Messi and Emiliano Martinez.
Messi on Van Gaal and Netherlands approach in the game
Messi said, “Van Gaal says that they play good football, but what he did was put on tall people and hit long balls. Argentina are among the four best in the world because they show that they know how to play every game with the same desire and the same intensity. A lot of joy, a lot of happiness. We did not have to go to extra-time or penalties, we had to suffer. But we got through and it is impressive.”
Whereas Argentina’s keeper Emiliano Martinez too was very unhappy with the referee and Van Gaal as he stated, “I thought we controlled the game really well. We went 2-0 up, basically we controlled the game. The ref was just giving everything for them. He gave 10 minutes (stoppage time) for no reason. He was giving free-kicks outside the box for them, like two, three times. He just wanted them to score, that’s basically it. So, hopefully we don’t have that ref anymore. He’s useless.”
And he was really fuming with the Dutch coach as the keeper said, “I heard Van Gaal saying, We’ve got an advantage in penalties. If we go to penalties we win. I think he needs to keep his mouth shut.” All in all, now Argentina have to face Croatia in the semis finals.
