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      Three Lions mascot Dave the Cat is coming home – after being adopted by Stones and Walker

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      THREE LIONS mascot Dave the Cat is coming home – after being adopted by England heroes John Stones and Kyle Walker.England heroes Stones and Walker initially pledged to rehome him if the Three Lions won the World Cup in Qatar.
      John Stones posted a pic of himself giving a thumbs up with Dave the Cat and wrote: ‘Dave’s joined us for dinner #mascot’
      The Three Lions mascot is coming home after being adopted by Stones and Kyle WalkerCredit: Richard Pelham / The Sun
      But the duo, who will line up against France in tomorrow’s quarter-final, have now vowed to take him home regardless.
      An FA source said: “We’ve been working with the Qatar Animal Welfare Society.
      “They’ve treated him for a leg injury sustained during a fight with another cat.”
      They added the mog, who strolled into the team’s base in Qatar, would live with either John, 28, or Kyle, 32.
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      Stones, 28, fell for the cat when he strolled into the team’s five-star training base on their first day.
      He later posted a pic of himself giving a thumbs up as the cat relaxed under his chair with the message: “Dave’s joined us for dinner #mascot.” More

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      France’s Giroud isn’t world class but he’s elite – if Maguire thinks he can rock up and dominate him he’s in for a shock

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      IF HARRY MAGUIRE reckons he can simply rock up and dominate Olivier Giroud, then he will get a shock.Giroud is the perfect team player. I don’t consider him world class — but still consider him elite.
      Olivier Giroud is an elite player, says Troy Deeney – Harry Maguire will have to stay switched on to stop himCredit: Reuters
      Giroud’s technical ability is not in question – just see the scorpion kick he scored for ArsenalCredit: PA:Press Association
      It was his technical ability that always impressed me.
      Just look at the goals he has scored, like that scorpion kick.
      The problem for big men normally is that unless you are a freak and you are fast, like Erling Haaland, you are considered slow — yet Giroud is far from it
      I don’t see what the problem is with him for some people.
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      I guess when you play at the level he does, people expect you to score 25 to 30 goals every season, but that is not his role.
      Apart from being a good-looking human being — one of the prettiest around — his role is to get 15 to 20 goals and be a link-up player.
      To get battered around but still secure the ball.
      I know I said in the past that Arsenal lacked ‘cojones’.
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      However if there was a serious opportunity to score, he would put his head in where it hurt.
      He was one of the hard men, big hitters, big fish of that Arsenal team but was tainted by the rest of the squad’s identity.
      Normally he plays with two wide men either side, allowing them to go and deliver.
      Kylian Mbappe couldn’t do what Giroud does.
      Sometimes you have to slow things down, make selfless runs.
      He is massively underrated because of the work people don’t see — and that is exactly what Maguire will need to be aware of when England face France tonight.
      What Giroud does really well in particular is, if you are marking him, he walks you under the ball when it is in the air, to take you out of the game, allowing space in behind.
      It is the cute things he does that can be so deadly.
      Maguire will find that out if he gets too tight to him. Also, this isn’t the Premier League. He won’t be able to be as physical and run through the back of him and head it.
      Maguire has done really well at this tournament, however this is the first time he will need to be switched on properly for 90 minutes.
      I have seen some people suggest the only reason he looks to have improved now is because international football is so different to the Premier League. Not as intense, fast-paced.
      But that is a ridiculously harsh thing to say.
      It is typical of English culture to always find something wrong when someone is playing well, and Maguire is playing a lot better. It is similar to Virgil van Dijk’s situation.
      He looks to have finally come out the other end of his knee-injury troubles and is back to his best in a Holland shirt.
      What frustrates me is that when a player has an injury, is still struggling mentally, people expect you to come back exactly the same as you were before.
      I watch loads of NFL. If someone there has surgery, another year will pass before they are even remotely close to getting back to the same level they were at.
      Both Maguire and Van Dijk’s struggles have also coincided with their club’s form not being great. And the best players come under more scrutiny, because we expect more from them.
      I have had the pleasure of talking to someone recently who plays international football.
      I never had that experience or opportunity — and I asked him just how big the jump is from club to international level.
      He confirmed it is massive. What people don’t understand are the tactical nuances, the way people switch shape and slow you down.
      These things are designed to stop the major threats.
      Just like Giroud will want to take away Maguire’s aerial ability, France will also want to stop Harry Kane from dominating at the other end.
      They are on a different planet if they don’t see Kane as the biggest threat on the pitch for England.
      He has been nullified pretty well in this tournament so far and they will want to keep that going.
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      But, like France are not just Mbappe, with the likes of Ousmane Dembele and Antoine Griezmann, England are not just Kane.
      We can win without our captain scoring goals, as we have proven so far with Marcus Rashford, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden and Jack Grealish.
      Harry Maguire will face a tough test versus France in England’s World Cup quarter-finalCredit: Reuters More

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      England Wag Annie Kilner kits herself out in plunging swimsuit – but hopes partner Kyle Walker will make a splash

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      ENGLAND Wag Annie Kilner kits herself out in a plunging swimsuit — but hopes it’s her partner Kyle Walker who makes a splash tonight.The model, 30, will cheer from the stands as defender Kyle, 32, aims to stop superfast Kylian Mbappe in his tracks when the Three Lions take on France.
      Annie Kilner was all kitted out in a plunging white swimsuit
      No doubt Annie will be relying on Kylian Mbappe’s form to take a dip, with her husband given the tough job of tackling the French forwardCredit: WCNP
      Kyle and Annie tied the knot at the beginning of 2022Credit: Getty
      No doubt she’ll be relying on Kylian’s form to take a dip . . . 
      Kyle will be given the tough job of tackling the flying French forward in the World Cup quarter-final.
      Annie Kilner and Kyle Walker started dating in their teens.
      They were together for over nine years before splitting in May 2019.
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      Walker was dumped by Annie after reality star Laura Brown opened up about romps in the England ace’s £200k Bentley.
      However, the couple got married at the beginning of 2022, putting their troubles behind them.
      The England star proposed last year with a £250,000 engagement ring.
      Annie and Kyle have three sons together: Roman, Riaan and Reign.
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      ‘Not up to the task’ – Messi rages at Argentina vs Netherlands referee as World Cup record SEVENTEEN yellow cards given

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      LIONEL MESSI fumed at referee Mateu Lahoz after a record SEVENTEEN bookings were handed out during Argentina’s win over the Netherlands.Both sets of players were unimpressed with the performance of Lahoz, with the game being stopped time and time again for fouls.
      Lionel Messi was furious with Spanish referee Mateu Lahoz’s performance during Argentina’s World Cup winCredit: Getty
      And things threatened to boil over at one point when Leandro Paredes booted the ball at the Dutch bench after being unhappy with a free kick Lahoz gave against him.
      PSG midfielder Paredes then appeared to meet his match as he was barged over by Dutch captain Virgil van Dijk.
      In his post-match interview, Messi said of Lahoz: “I think that FIFA cannot use this referee for this type of match because he is not up to the task.”
      The 17 cards the referee handed out to players during the match set an all-time record, beating another infamous clash involving the Netherlands.
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      Messi claimed that Lahoz was ‘not up to the task’ in his post-match interviewCredit: Getty
      The two teams almost came to blows when Leandro Paredes kicked the ball at the Dutch benchCredit: AP
      Sixteen bookings were given during the Battle of Nuremberg in 2006, when Portugal beat the Dutch 1-0 and four players were sent off.
      Following his interview, one fan claimed that Messi was channelling his inner Maradona with his complaints about the ref.
      Messi and Lahoz have previous from his time playing at Barcelona, and bizarrely enough one of their biggest run-ins was related to Diego Maradona himself.
      After Argentina legend Maradona passed away, Messi celebrated a goal by unveiling the number ten shirt of Newell’s Old Boys – the club he supports, and Maradona briefly played for.
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      However, Lahoz was not willing to bend the rules even after Maradona’s death and promptly showed the then-Barca star a yellow card.
      There was no sign of the high drama to come in the game when Argentina raced into a 2-0 lead in Qatar
      Those goals came through Messi brilliantly assisting Nahuel Molina for Argentina’s opener then scoring a goal of his own from the penalty spot.
      Nicolas Otamendi celebrated in the faces of the Dutch players following Argentina’s winCredit: Getty
      Goalkeeper Emi Martinez labelled Lahoz ‘useless’Credit: Getty
      But the Argentina defence was caught napping when Burnley flop Wout Weghorst came off the bench to head the Dutch back into the game.
      And with the last kick of normal time, Weghorst took the game to extra time after tapping in from a fantastically disguised free kick routine.
      But it was Argentina who emerged triumphant thanks to two penalty saves from Emi Martinez in the shootout.
      The drama didn’t end there however, as defender Nicolas Otamendi celebrated in the faces of the Netherlands team following the victory.
      In his post-match interview with beIN Sports, goalkeeper Emi Martinez was even more scathing towards the ref than Messi.
      He said of Lahoz: “The referee was giving everything to them. He gave 10 minutes for no reason…
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      “He just wanted them to score.
      “Hopefully we don’t have that ref any more, he’s useless.” More

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      I’m an England superfan and I’m so sure we’ll win the World Cup I’ve had a tattoo done

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      SUPERFAN Dennis Pope is so sure England will win the World Cup he has updated his ill-fated 2018 tattoo.Dennis, 25, paid £40 four years ago to have “England World Cup Winners 2018” inked on to his right calf.
      Dennis has updated the tattoo he got four years ago when he was sure England would win the 2018 World Cup
      He’s now sure that England will beat 3-1 in tomorrow night’s quarter-final, and go on to become this year’s champions
      But his hopes were dashed when they were beaten by Croatia in the semi-finals in Russia.
      Plasterer Dennis is now backing England to beat France 3-1 in tomorrow night’s quarter-final in Qatar — and has updated his inking to prove it.
      His original tattoo remains, but with a red cross through 2018 and 2022 inked below it.
      New dad Dennis said: “We’ve waited for a moment like this.
      READ MORE WORLD CUP 202
      “This is it. If there was a time, it’s right now. Kane to score twice and Rashford to add a third. I would even settle for a Harry Maguire header. We can beat anyone.”
      Dennis, of Blackpool, said of his original tattoo: “It wasn’t meant to be and we lost to Croatia in the semis but I didn’t regret getting the tattoo in the slightest.
      “It’s a reminder of wonderful memories and how close we came. This time though, it feels different.” More

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      England fans are heralded by a Sun mascot parade through the capital’s souk market

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      THOUSANDS of England fans poured into Qatar for the World Cup clash with France last night – heralded by a sensational Sun mascot parade through the capital’s historic souk market.Gamechanger Chesney Hawkes, Sun lion Harry Mane and the England Supporters Band were mobbed as they danced through the bustling Arab throng.
      Chesney Hawkes led on guitar as England Band trumpeter John Hemmingham, 59, drummer Steve Holmes, 51, and Sun lion Harry Mane were mobbedCredit: Dan Charity
      And fans sang along to the lucky charm star’s One and Only to boost our chances of defeating superstar Kylian Mbappe and the world champions.
      Locals in traditional robes and fans of all nations – including English, French, Argentines, Brazillians and Moroccans joined the wacky procession snaking through the marketplace.
      Chesney, 51, led on guitar strumming his hit backed by band trumpeter John Hemmingham, 59, and the booming big bass drum of pal Steve Holmes, 51.
      The clamour for pictures and selfies from the cheering crowds at one point completely blocked the narrow souk thoroughfare.
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      Locals posed for pictures and cuddled up to furry lion Harry with their kids until the fun was halted to respect the Muslim call to prayer at sunset.
      Trumpeter John from Sheffield – who has been to every England game – said: “That’s the most fun I’ve had since I’ve been here – what a reception!
      “I’ve learned the notes of Chesney’s One and Only song and will be playing it in the crowd tomorrow to get the fans going.
      “Our fans are arriving and the atmosphere is building – it’s going to be a fantastic game and I’m sure we can win.”
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      Steve, also from Sheffield, said: “Fans of all nations love Harry Mane and Chesney’s song is catching on among the England supporters. The parade was a great laugh and we really shook the place up – we were mobbed!
      “I’ve been to seven World Cups and can honestly say we can win it this time. Gareth Southgate’s team has matured since Russia and they’re now the real deal.”
      Chesney laughed after being rescued from the crowds: “That was unreal – absolutely brilliant. It’s great to be having fun among England fans ahead of one of the biggest games in our history – now all we have to do is go out and win it!”
      Estate agent Paul Dubberley, 63, from Walsall, West Mids said after a singalong with The Sun team: “I’m convinced we can beat the French and win the World Cup.
      “And I’ve put my money where my mouth is by getting tickets all the way to the final to watch us lift the trophy. It’s been great meeting Chesney – he’s a great guy and we all love his lucky song.”
      Retired teacher Norman Bartlam, 64, also from Walsall said: “The atmosphere here has been terrific – and made even better by the fun we’ve had with Chesney and The Sun team.
      “We’re heading for the game full of hope and praying that we can play well enough to beat French and go on to finally bring it home.”
      Back home an estimated 45 million pints will be downed on pubs’ busiest day for three years today – as 23 million roar on England on Super Saturday.
      A £350 million big match party with almost half England’s population tuned in will see beer sales rocket 50 per cent. Around 25 million pints will be drunk today in 30,000 pubs, plus 20m at home, British Beer and Pub Association consumption trends showed.
      Emma McClarkin, chief executive of the British Beer and Pub Association, said: “At home and at the bar, the beer is flowing.”
      December is pubs’ busiest month of the year, and the 7pm prime time France game is England’s first Saturday match of the first winter World Cup.
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      Tickets for England’s quarter final game being offered by touts for up to £9,000 each last night. There were 679 tickets being offered on the resale website Ticombo. Some were being sold for £2,500 and each came with a hefty booking fee of £750.
      That totalled £3,250 each for tickets with a face value of £350. Hospitality packages were being offered for £7,000 per person plus a £2,000 booking fee, taking the total price to an eye-watering £9,000. More

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      Netherlands vs Argentina LIVE RESULT: Argentina book semi-final vs Croatia after stunning penalty shoot-out win

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      ARGENTINA have beaten Netherlands in a stunning penalty shoot-out to reach the World Cup semi-final.The Dutch fought back to level it 2-2 in sensational fashion with Wout Weghorst scoring his second of the match in the 100th minute before extra-time took place.
      Argentina now face Croatia in Tuesday’s semi-final – after they shocked Brazil on penalties earlier today.

      Result: Netherlands 2-2 Argentina (Argentina win 4-3 on pens)
      Netherlands XI: Noppert; Dumfries, Timber, Van Dijk, Ake, Blind; De Roon, De Jong; Gakpo, Bergwijn, Depay
      Argentina XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Otamendi, L Martínez, Acuna; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Alvarez

      BETTING SPECIAL – BEST WORLD CUP BETTING OFFERS AND FREE BETS
      Follow ALL of the latest updates below…
      Goodnight from the Lusail Stadium
      It’s been an evening of pure drama that included a penalty shootout, a last gasp equaliser, some feisty flashpoints, an overzealous referee and a little bit of Lionel Messi magic.
      And the upshot of all that is Argentina taking their place in another World Cup semi-final.
      Lionel Scaloni’s team will face Croatia on Tuesday after finally getting the better of the Netherlands in Lusail.
      Like their South American rivals before them, La Albiceleste were taken to penalties after letting a late lead slip.
      But unlike Brazil, the Argentines kept their cool when it mattered.
      It brings an end to another absurdly exciting day at this World Cup, and sets us up neatly for tomorrow when England take centre stage against France.
      Until the big one, thanks for joining us and goodbye.
      And it was all yellow…
      The final figures are in from FIFA, and it’s been recorded that referee Antonio Mateu showed 17 yellow cards this evening.
      Two of those were to members of the Argentine coaching team while three were shown after the game had actually finished.
      Among the eight Argentina players to be cautioned, two of those – Marcos Acuna and Gonzalo Montiel – will be suspended for the semi-final.
      If you see this man turn on to your street wearing a traffic warden’s uniform, move the car!

      A date with Croatia
      The majority wanted an Argentina – Brazil semi-final.
      The majority expected it.
      But instead it will be Croatia that take their place in the semis, and their opponents were very nearly the Netherlands.
      Yet Argentina eventually managed to win their way through on penalties, and will take their place in the final four on Tuesday evening.

      Argentina v Croatia (Tuesday, 7pm, Lusail Iconic Stadium)

      Match stats from Lusail Stadium
      The Netherlands clawed this game back from the jaws of defeat with their only two attempts on target, but ultimately paid the penalties.

      La Albiceleste triumph!
      Lionel Messi punches the air in front of thousands of Argentina fans as many of his teammates celebrate nearby.
      But elsewhere it’s going off again among a select group with Denzel Dumfries in the thick of it.
      That will no doubt lead to other yellow cards from a referee so pernickety that he even showed one during the height of the shootout.
      It took a long time to get going, but this quarter-final will go down as a classic that had it all.

      Lautaro Martinez scores!
      And Argentina are in the semi-finals of the World Cup!
      It’s a superb penalty under immense pressure from the striker, who pulls it into the top left corner while sending Andries Noppert the wrong way.
      Netherlands 3-4 Argentina

      Luuk De Jong scores!
      And levels up the shootout!
      But Argentina have one more spotkick to win it…
      Netherlands 3-3 Argentina
      Enzo Fernandez misses!
      The young midfielder could have won it for Argentina, but pulls his spotkick wide of the left post.
      Netherlands 2-3 Argentina
      Wout Weghorst scores!
      A hat-trick of sorts for the substitute.
      He sends Emi Martinez the wrong way to find the bottom corner
      Netherlands 2-3 Argentina
      Gonzalo Montiel scores!
      So assured from the defender, who pushes his effort into the corner.
      Netherlands 1-3 Argentina
      Teun Koopmeiners scores!
      A lovely penalty, pulled into the right corner with his left boot.
      Netherlands 1-2 Argentina
      Leandro Paredes scores!
      A great penalty from the midfielder!
      The thousands of Argentines behind that goal are ecstatic!
      Netherlands 0-2 Argentina
      Steven Berghuis misses!
      Emi Martinez does it again! What a save!
      This time he goes to his left! The Aston Villa stopper is in inspired form!
      Netherlands 0-1 Argentina

      Lionel Messi scores!
      Again! Advantage Argentina!
      The main man sends Noppert the wrong way to roll it down the middle.
      Netherlands 0-1 Argentina

      Virgil van Dijk misses!
      A great save by Emi Martinez, diving to his right to push away the Dutch captain’s effort.
      Netherlands 0-0 Argentina

      The coin toss
      Virgil van Dijk and Lionel Messi meet in the middle, and it’s the Dutchman that wins the coin toss.
      The Netherlands will kick first.
      Full time – Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      After two hours of enthralling, gruelling football, this quarter-final will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.
      Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      120+1. Fernandez! Off the post!
      The young Argentine almost wins it in stunning fashion with a long range whistler that beats Noppert, but crashes agonisingly off the frame of the goal.
      So, so close.

      Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      120. Di Maria almost wins it with a wicked corner that swings back in!
      It looks destined for the net until Noppert gets an important hand on the delivery to tip it over.
      Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      119. It’s an end-to-end finish, and there is space opening up all over the field.
      Argentina counter from a failed Netherlands break, and almost steal victory.
      The ball is worked in to Lautaro Martinez, who turns sharply and lets fly with a 20-yarder that Noppert parries away.
      Martin Lipton is still full of energy in extra-time:
      “Holland have been playing for penalties throughout extra-time.
      “But that self-confidence, almost arrogance, of the Argentine fans is a long-ago memory now.
      “Yes, the drums are still a-banging.
      “But it’s a very different edginess on all sides of the stadium. Nervous. Tense.”
      Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      117. From Di Maria’s outswinging corner, Pezzella gets his head on the ball but his effort flies over the crossbar.
      It’s a strong finish from the South Americans.
      Where has this energy come from?
      Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      116. Fernandez with the long range effort! Deflected and in!
      No! It loops up over Noppert and ripples the roof of the net!
      The Argentina supporters at the opposite end of the stadium thought it was in.
      Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      114. A burst of energy from the fresh Di Maria, who darts past two in the box and squares for Lautaro Martinez.
      A first time shot from the striker is deflected agonisingly wide!
      Argentina are having a late rally.
      Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      113. A brilliant block from Fernandez denies De Jong from getting on the end of the free-kick curled into the penalty area.
      Bodies on the line.
      Netherlands 2-2 Argentina
      112. A yellow card for Pezzella now, who brings down Gakpo with a scissor-like challenge.
      Meanwhile, Angel Di Maria is on in what is Argentina’s sixth and final substitution. Lisandro Martinez makes way.
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      Argentina 2 (4) Netherlands 2 (3): Emi Martinez saves TWO penalties in shoot-out to keep Messi’s World Cup dream alive

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      LIONEL MESSI’S World Cup dream is still alive. Just.His previous four campaigns have all ended in tears, making the semis just once in that time — beating Holland on penalties to reach the final at Brazil 2014.
      Lionel Messi scored a penalty to put Argentina 2-0 upCredit: Getty
      Wout Weghorst sent the game into extra-time with a dramatic late equaliserCredit: Getty
      Nahuel Molina opened the scoring from Messi’s exquisite passCredit: Getty Images – Getty
      Argentina dominated but had to rely on penalties to go through
      Messi was key for Argentina with a goal and an assist
      The 35-year-old, in his last chance saloon, is now one game away from getting there again, at the fifth attempt.
      But boy, will the mini magician be thanking his lucky stars that is the case after yet another incredible, mind-blowing battle with the Dutch — settled once more from the spot.
      Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis saw their attempts saved by Emiliano Martinez.
      And, thankfully, Messi converted alongside Leandro Paredes, Gonzalo Montiel and finally Lautaro Martinez.
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      But, in truth, it should never have got to that stage. Messi had been at his magnificent best, creating Nahuel Molina’s first-half opener before adding a second from the spot.
      Messi’s World Cup dream was still alive, and then, in an unscripted mad finale, it suddenly wasn’t.
      Holland decided to go for broke, kicking anyone that came near them and lumping balls into the box as sub Weghorst headed one home in the 83rd minute.
      All hell broke loose after that.
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      Leandro Paredes lost his head and decided to hoof a ball at the Dutch bench, encouraging what seemed a 40-man melee, coaching staff included.
      We expected this fixture — with so much World Cup history — to have some spice.
      Holland got a stunning equaliser in the 101st minute — a clever free-kick routine allowing Weghorst to poke home. Cue delirium.
      As the whistle sounded, more mass needle. It was unclear who started this round of aggro but it took several minutes for everyone to be separated to get extra-time going.
      Before that period got underway, 11 yellow cards had been dished out, including to Argie boss Lionel Scaloni.
      This ground may as well have been plonked in the middle of Buenos Aires, such was the impressive sea of blue and white. This crowd were purring over everything Messi did. The slightest dink.
      The deftest of touches. He could have tied his shoelaces to a standing ovation.
      As he does these days, the little magician roamed freely at walking pace, while the rest of his team-mates shadowed Holland with a back three for the first time at this World Cup.
      One suspects Scaloni did this in fear of the destructive Dutch counter. Going behind against this lot is not something you willingly sign up to.
      As a result, they were cautious. Too cautious. They were slow on the ball, tempo wiped from their attack and sloppy mistakes creeping in.They had been sucked into playing a joyless Louis van Gaal game.
      Holland were enjoying this, in a psychotic, Van Gaal sort of way. The last two World Cup meetings between these two ended in 0-0 draws.
      A third was on the cards. The plan was working. It was down to the kid from Rosario to make things happen. Just before the 35th minute, Messi decided that now was the moment to wreak havoc.
      Cause carnage.
      A rare loose ball seized upon. A few shakes of those dastardly hips and Nathan Ake was wobbling, doing his best impression of a river dance trying to keep track of the ball.
      And then a pass. A wonderful, glorious, jaw-dropping pass, one that no one in the ground saw coming. Eye of the needle stuff.
      A reverse pass that even caught out the vigilant Van Dijk. Its weight and accuracy was so perfect that Molina barely broke stride before slotting it past Andries Noppert.
      The Dutch resistance was broken, and it then began to creak as Messi found himself back to goal with Ake trying to redeem himself.
      Holland were getting frustrated. This was the first time they had gone behind in Qatar, and by the looks of it, it spooked them.
      They didn’t know how to react. Van Gaal had to gamble in some form — and he did with two half-time substitutes.
      Berghuis and Teun Koopmeiners on for Steven Bergwijn and Marten de Roon, while Weghorst appeared in the 78th minute.
      Messi continued to shine, pulling out some of his Greatest Hits. Then, a free-kick, after being shoved over by a fearful Van Dijk.
      The Liverpool defender had witnessed Messi score a similar one at the Nou Camp in the Champions League in 2019. Not this time, rippling the top of the net. But it was no bother from the spot after Dumfries hooked Marcos Acuna’s ankles.
      Even at 2-1, it looked to be ebbing away from Holland’s clutches, yet German Pezzella’s foul outside the box with seconds left gave them one more chance, which they took.
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      Koopmeiners’ clever free-kick found Weghorst and he found the net. The 1978 final. The 1998 ‘Bergkamp’ game. The 2014 semi-final.
      Add this to the World Cup scrapbook of Argentina v Holland classics. Bonkers. More