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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Victor

Argentina under investigation for two World Cup rule breaches after Netherlands win

FIFA have confirmed Argentina are under investigation after the scenes during their World Cup quarter-final victory over the Netherlands.

Lionel Scaloni's side needed penalties to get past their opponents, after Wout Weghorst came off the bench to force extra-time with a late double. However, that was only part of the story, with referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz issuing more than a dozen yellow cards and showing a red to Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries after the game ended.

The outcome was a repeat of the 2014 semi-final, when Argentina prevailed on penalties after a goalless draw in Sao Paulo. The fallout is continuing, though, with FIFA issuing a statement.

"The FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Argentinian Football Association due to potential breaches of articles 12 (Misconduct of players and officials) and 16 (Order and security at matches) of the FIFA Disciplinary Code during the Netherlands v. Argentina FIFA World Cup™ match that took place on 9 December," the statement read.

"Additionally, the FIFA Disciplinary Committee has opened proceedings against the Dutch Football Association due to potential breaches of article 12 of the FIFA Disciplinary Code in relation to the same match."

Argentina manager Scaloni was shown a yellow card by referee Mateu Lahoz, as were a number of members of his squad. Dutch substitute Weghorst, meanwhile, was booked long before entering the fray after an incident on the touchline.

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Tempers flared as Argentina faced the Netherlands (AFP via Getty Images)

Nahuel Molina put Argentina in front 10 minutes from half-time, latching onto a pinpoint Lionel Messi pass. Messi himself doubled the lead from the penalty spot, only for Weghorst - introduced just over 10 minutes from the end - to strike twice.

Extra-time passed with no further goals scored, but Emi Martinez proved to be the Albiceleste's hero in the shoot-out. The Aston Villa goalkeeper saved from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis, and Argentina prevailed despite Enzo Fernandez missing his own kick.

"This match shouldn't have ended as it did," Messi told TyC Sports after his team's victory. "I don't want to talk about the referee because they sanction you. But people saw what happened.

"We were afraid before the match because we knew how he was and I think FIFA has to review this. You can't put a referee like him for these matches."

Argentina will begin preparations for their semi-final while waiting to learn their punishment for their actions. Scaloni's team will face Croatia for a place in the final, after the 2018 runners-up beat Brazil on penalties following a 1-1 draw.

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