The Weghorst double pack is not enough
In another insane penalty thriller, Argentina, led by assist and goalscorer Lionel Messi, shook in the World Cup semi-finals. The South Americans beat the Netherlands 4-3 on penalties in the round of 16 on Friday night thanks to goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez. After a crazy 120 minutes it was 2-2 (2-2, 1-0) in a highly charged and heated game with pack formation and well over ten yellow cards. Former Wolfsburg striker Wout Weghorst shook the double world champion with a double.
In front of 88,235 spectators, Messi & Cie looked like some winners until shortly before the end of regulation time against the weak Dutchman under coach Louis van Gaal. Messi prepared the advantage with a stroke of genius in his 1001st professional game by putting the ball past Nahuel Molina (35th minute). He himself scored the second goal from the penalty spot (73rd). However, Weghorst forced extra time in the 83rd minute and eleven minutes into added time. Nothing was happening there. It went to penalties where Martínez saved against Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis. Lautaro Martinez converted the decisive penalty. Messi’s penalty in regulation time was his tenth at a World Cup, bringing the PSG star level with iconic Argentina striker Gabriel Batistuta. No Argentine has scored more World Cup goals in history.
Messi upgrades to 10: World Cup top scorers
Lionel Messi (Argentina) – 10 goals in 24 appearances
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As of December 9, 2022
Grzegorz Lato (Spain) – 10 goals in 20 matches
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Thomas Muller (Germany) – 10 goals in 19 appearances
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Teófilo Cubillas (Peru) – 10 goals in 13 appearances
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Gabriel Batistuta (Argentina) – 10 goals in 12 appearances
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Gary Lineker (England) – 10 goals in 12 appearances
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Helmut Rahn (Germany) – 10 goals in 10 appearances
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Jürgen Klinsmann (Germany) – 11 goals in 17 appearances
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Sándor Kocsis (Hungary) – 11 goals in 5 appearances
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Pelé (Brazil) – 12 goals in 14 appearances
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Just Fontaine (France) – 13 goals in 6 appearances
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Gerd Muller (Germany) – 14 goals in 13 appearances
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Ronaldo (Brazil) – 15 goals in 19 appearances
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Miroslav Klose (Germany) – 16 goals in 24 appearances
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Hours after Brazil’s knockout of Messi and Neymar’s club colleague and friend PSG, coach Lionel Scaloni’s side underlined their world title ambitions against the Dutch, unbeaten in 19 games under van Gaal. On Tuesday (8:00 p.m.), he will face Croatia, conquerors of Brazil, for a place in the final.
Will Messi make it to the top? Player with most World Cup appearances
1 Lothar Matthäus (25 games for Germany)
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As of December 9, 2022
2 Lionel Messi (24 games for Argentina)
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2 Miroslav Klose (24 games for Germany)
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4 Paolo Maldini (23 games for Italy)
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5 Uwe Seeler (21 games for Germany)
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5 Wladyslaw Zmuda (21 games for Poland)
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5 Diego Maradona (21 games for Argentina)
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8 Cristiano Ronaldo (20 games for Portugal)
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8 Bastian Schweinsteiger (20 games for Germany)
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8 Philipp Lahm (20 games for Germany)
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8 Cáfu (20 games for Brazil)
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8 Grzegorz Lato (20 games for Poland)
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8 Javier Mascherano (20 games for Argentina)
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14 Ronaldo (19 games for Brazil)
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14 Berti Vogts (19 games for Germany)
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14 Wolfgang Overath (19 games for Germany)
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14 Karl-Heinz Rummenigge (19 games for Germany)
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14 Per Mertesacker (19 games for Germany)
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14 Rafael Marquez (19 games for Mexico)
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14 Manuel Neuer (19 games for Germany)
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14 Thomas Müller (19 games for Germany)
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22 Mario Kempes (18 games for Argentina)
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22 Sepp Maier (18 games for Germany)
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22 Franz Beckenbauer (18 games for Germany)
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22 Pierre Littbarski (18 games for Germany)
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22 Thomas Berthold (18 games for Germany)
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22 Claudio Taffarel (18 games for Brazil)
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22 Dunga (18 games for Brazil)
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22 Fabio Cannavaro (18 games for Italy)
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22 Gaetano Scirea (18 games for Italy)
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22 Antonio Cabrini (18 games for Italy)
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