Subhi Agrawal
Almost two years have gone by since Argentina’s victory in Qatar, but many dramatic highlights from the 2022 FIFA World Cup are still vivid in the minds of fans. One notable incident was the notorious brawl that occurred during the quarter-finals between Argentina and the Netherlands.
The Clash Between Argentina And The Netherlands
The tension escalated when Leandro Paredes launched the ball into the Dutch bench, sparking a fierce confrontation between the two teams. Paredes, an essential player for La Albiceleste throughout the tournament, later revealed that he intentionally aimed the ball at the Dutch players.
Argentina had taken charge of the match, leading 2-0 with Nahuel Molina’s goal in the 35th minute and a penalty from Lionel Messi in the 73rd minute. However, the Dutch mounted a comeback when substitute Wout Weghorst scored in the 83rd minute, reigniting the intensity of the contest.
The game’s final moments turned chaotic, with Paredes at the center of multiple challenges. Tensions escalated dramatically when the AS Roma midfielder executed a sliding tackle on Nathan Ake and then kicked the ball toward the Dutch bench, where the players were seated.
This led to a brawl, with players from both teams shoving and pushing each other. Paredes was shown a yellow card for his actions, and the 30-year-old later admitted that he deliberately kicked the ball in response to comments made by the Dutch players.
“The shot against the Dutch bench was on purpose. Now that enough time has passed, we can say it. It was because of the comments made by their players and the coaching staff, the ball ended up there, and I kicked it. On top of that, I missed,” he stated.
Messi’s Last Chance And Argentina’s Triumph
Weghorst equalized in stoppage time, creating a tense finish, but Argentina ultimately progressed to the semi-finals thanks to Emiliano Martinez’s heroics in the penalty shootout. The South American team then went on to clinch the FIFA World Cup, defeating Croatia in the semi-finals and overcoming France in the final.
Lionel Messi arrived in Qatar under tremendous pressure, as it was seen as his last World Cup and Argentina was viewed as a strong favorite. However, history was not in their favor; La Albiceleste had not claimed a FIFA World Cup title since Diego Maradona famously lifted the trophy in 1986.
Following Argentina’s victory, Messi, who had frequently faced criticism in his home country, was met with widespread acclaim, solidifying his legacy in the nation’s history. Reflecting on the triumph in 2023, the former Barcelona forward expressed his joy at finally feeling “loved” after winning the FIFA World Cup.
“I had a bad time. My family and the people who love me did too. [Critics in Argentina] were very unfair to a generation of players and they said a lot of bad things about me. I’m not spiteful. I feel it like a triumph for me to have changed that situation and won over all the people of Argentina. Today 95% or 100% of Argentines love me and that’s a beautiful feeling,” he said last year.
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