Argentina vs Holland player ratings: Lionel Messi masterclass

Argentina progressed to the World Cup semi-finals in the most dramatic of circumstances after winning a classic with Holland.

Emiliano Martinez proved to be their hero with two saves in the penalty shoot-out that followed a thrilling 2-2 draw in Lusail.

Argentina thought they had the contest sewn up thanks to goals by Nahuel Molina and Lionel Messi, only for Wout Weghorst to rescue Holland with two late goals.

But the South Americans were able to re-focus in extra time and then held their nerve in the shoot-out to set up a semi-final against Croatia.

Sportsmail's IAN HERBERT gave his player ratings and ADAM SHERGOLD offers his evaluation of each performance.

HOLLAND

Andries Noppert - 6

Almost came a cropper with a careless pass in the opening minute but dealt with most things Argentina threw at him, notably in the latter stages of extra time when they seemed to find fresh energy. The 6ft 8in keeper powerless in the shoot-out, however.

Jurrien Timber - 6

Walked the disciplinary tightrope during extra time and was unquestionably on his final warning before a second yellow card. However, the youngster showed admirable composure for the most part in the biggest game of his career to date.

Virgil van Dijk - 6

Displayed his usual composure and exemplary leadership, especially when calming those around him during spells of pressure. But just lost his nerve with a poor penalty in the shoot-out having stepped up first for his team.

Nathan Ake - 6

Overloaded at times, especially with Messi drifting around, but largely solid. Also has that ability to step out of defence and launch a long pass, which troubled Argentina at times.

Denzel Dumfries - 6

Nowhere near as influential as in then last-16 game with the United States as Argentina kept close tabs on him. His frustration was compounded by the contact on Acuna that led to the penalty for the second goal.

Marten De Roon - 5

Taken off at half-time in one of those typically ruthless Van Gaal moves but in fairness had provided little bite in the midfield with Holland unable to generate anything going forward in the 45 minutes he played.

Frenkie de Jong - 7

His usual neat and tidy self when it came to passing on the occasions Holland enjoyed the ball. But ultimately couldn't bend the game to his will, even when greater spaces opened up after half-time. Fans will look forward to seeing him on the tournament stage in the future though.

Daley Blind - 6

Was responsible for losing track of Molina for the opening Argentina goal although in his defence the chances of Messi picking that through pass seemed a million-to-one. Seemed to pick up a knock midway through the second-half and was withdrawn.

Cody Gakpo - 6

Certainly capable of offering Holland a spark but playing off Bergwijn and Depay as he did in the first-half didn't really work. His impact faded as the game drew on but the World Cup has done no harm to his transfer value.

Memphis Depay - 5

Hugely disappointing. Grafted up front but never received enough of the ball to influence things. A few minutes early in the second half were instructive when he twice surrendered the ball having tried a little too hard to make something happen. Taken off to facilitate the change of approach which turned the game on its head late on.

Steven Bergwijn - 5

Was distraught to be taken off at half-time but had barely had a sniff of goal apart from one effort that was dragged miles wide. Was a mistake to play him when the more direct approach paid off. He was even booked for arguing when on the bench.

SUBSTITUTES

Steven Berghuis (for Bergwijn 46mins) - 6

Delivered the ideal cross from which Weghorst glanced home the goal to give Holland hope but then missed his penalty.

Teun Koopmeiners (for De Roon 46mins) - 6.5

An upgrade in the centre of the park and laid on the ingenious free-kick pass from which Weghorst equalised.

Luuk de Jong (for Blind 64mins) - 5.5

Caused a bit of chaos with his height but nowhere near the same impact as Weghorst, who came on 14 minutes later.

Wout Weghorst (for Depay 78mins) - 8

An inspired substitution from Van Gaal and almost the perfect tale of redemption for the man who flopped at Burnley. Football does have some strange tales.

Noa Lang (for Gakpo 113mins)

COACH

Louis van Gaal - 5.5

So nearly conjured a miracle with a desperate change of approach in the dying embers but his initial game plan had barely landed a punch on Argentina. There will be plenty of pundits in Holland pleased to see the back of him but, my goodness, what an entertaining career.

ARGENTINA

Emiliano Martinez - 7

The penalty shoot-out hero with top saves from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis, continuing his very good record in such situations. Wasn't troubled by the Dutch for most of the game and can blame his defenders for the two goals that sullied his clean sheet. All right in the end though.

Nahuel Molina - 7

Took his goal very well having had the wherewithal to run into the box before Messi found him with an outrageous no-look pass. Molina was a regular threat at right wing-back, adapting to Lionel Scaloni's switch of formation very well.

Cristian Romero - 6

Looked good after Argentina conceded twice after he was subbed off! Kept the Dutch attackers on a tight rein throughout, was composed and unafraid of throwing himself into tackles. Only blot on his copybook was a silly yellow for handball .

Nicolas Otamendi - 6

Lived on the edge at times, inevitably getting himself booked deep into stoppage time having given away the free-kick that led to Holland;'s equaliser. Had looked composed enough up to that point.

Lisandro Martinez - 6

Not quite as good as some of his Manchester United performances this season and there will be questions over his aerial ability after Weghorst got above him to score. Someone who isn't afraid of occasions such as this, however, and relished the physical aspect.

Marcos Acuna - 6

A good display down the left which was capped when he won the penalty for Messi to make it 2-0. Certainly won his direct battle against Dumfries. Showed a nasty streak when he deliberately raked his studs down the back of Dumfries' legs, however, which led Jurrien Timber to shove him over.

Rodrigo De Paul - 7

Overcame fitness issues to start the game and put in a shift to ensure Argentina won the midfield battle. Even had a couple of half-chances come his way which he couldn't capitalise on. It was little surprise when he was the first from his team to be withdrawn.

Enzo Fernandez - 7

The 21-year-old will be upset about his missed penalty but it didn't matter in the end. He might well have won the game when he hit the base of the post in the final minute of extra time. Played very well throughout, with a maturity that belies his young age.

Alexis Mac Allister - 6

The Brighton man really looks the part in this Argentina team and is only too happy to drive them forward, linking up well with Messi when he drops off. There was one moment when he should have played De Paul through on goal but over-hit the pass.

Julian Alvarez - 7

The Manchester City man will have been disappointed no decent chances fell his way but he did the fundamentals well enough to continue his run of form at the World Cup.

Lionel Messi - 9

Maybe the stars are aligning for Messi and Argentina, especially after Brazil exited. Messi is making this tournament his with every passing game and here was another brilliant performance. The through pass he played to Molina was one only he could produce and both the penalties he took on the night were clinical. Came within a whisker of his World Cup dream dying forever but it could yet happen.

Substitutes

Leandro Paredes (for De Paul 67mins) - 6.5

Nearly lost his head when he booted the ball at the Dutch bench having scythed down Nathan Ake.

Nicolas Tagliafico (for Acuna 78mins)

German Pezzella (for Romero 78mins)

Lautaro Martinez (for Alvarez 82mins)

Gonzalo Montiel (for Molina 106mins)

Angel Di Maria (for Lisandro Martinez 112mins)

COACH

Lionel Scaloni - 7

Decided to match Holland's 3-5-2 formation and it was working a treat until his defenders lost their nerve against physical opposition and agricultural tactics late on. But they recovered their composure and it was all right on the night.