Virgil van Dijk looks back on the Netherlands’ defeat against Argentina after penalties
rgentina after penalties
‘Everything had gone in, until tonight’: Virgil van Dijk says that the Netherlands practiced ‘a lot’ on penalties after a shootout defeat against Argentina…
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After the Netherlands’ defeat on penalties against Argentina, defender Virgil van Dijk claimed that ‘everything went in’ for the Dutch players in penalty training.
Louis van Gaal’s side crashed out of the quarter-finals of the World Cup after a heroic comeback finished the game 2-2 before Argentina went through to penalties.
Liverpool’s Van Dijk came forward first for the Netherlands and saw his effort saved by Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez and on reflection admitted the shot ‘could have been more in the corner’.
Virgil van Dijk shudders after seeing his penalty saved during the quarter-final shootout
Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez dove to the right to make the crucial stop against van Dijk
In conversation with Dutch outlet NOS, said captain van Dijk: “We trained a lot for it. Everything had gone in. See you tonight. Then you are very disappointed. That hurts a lot.’
Asked about his missed penalty kick, the defender said: ‘It has to do with everything. It was difficult. Could have been a bit more in the corner.
“Unfortunately, those things happen in football. It’s time to practice again and that’s what I’m going to do’, said Van Dijk.
The Dutch centre-back took the first penalty of the shootout – which Martinez saved – before Argentina’s Lionel Messi stepped on the board and fired his second penalty of the night.
Immediately after Van Dijk, Steven Berghuis stepped on the plate and – despite a shot in the opposite corner – also saw his effort saved by Martinez.
The Liverpool defender took the first penalty of the shootout which they eventually lost
Steven Berghuis gets down on his knees after seeing that his attempt was also saved by Martinez
Van Gaal’s side did well earning a shootout in first place, after miraculously clawing the game back to 2-2 with two late goals.
Substitute Wout Weghorst picked up a brace in the 78th minute of the game. The first, a headed header that left Martinez without a chance.
The second was a well-executed free-kick routine, which took place in the closing moments of regulation time, taking the game to extra time.
Chaos ensued as tensions ran high and both sets of teams received a number of yellow cards for a brawl towards the end of the match.
Argentina only missed one try, through Enzo Fernandez, which saw them progress to the semi-finals where they will face Croatia next Tuesday.
Argentina players celebrate after booking their places in the semi-finals of the World Cup
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