Former Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal has sensationally claimed that the Qatar World Cup was fastened to make sure that Lionel Messi and Argentina would win.
Messi guided his nation to their first World Cup triumph since 1986 with a penalty shootout victory in opposition to France within the ultimate. The Inter Miami ahead scored twice within the ultimate earlier than changing his penalty within the shootout which Argentina gained 4-2.
En path to the ultimate, the South American nation battled previous the Netherlands, triumphing once more on penalties within the quarter-finals after a dramatic and feisty contest that noticed 16 yellow playing cards issued all through the sport.
Van Gaal was the person within the Dutch dugout for the defeat however the 72-year-old believes that the match was predetermined to make sure that Messi and the Argentinian nationwide workforce would triumph in what is going to doubtless be the legendary ahead’s final World Cup.
Talking on the Eredivisie awards to Dutch outlet NOS, Van Gaal stated: “I don’t actually wish to say a lot about it.
Argentina progressed on penalties in opposition to the Netherlands within the quarter-finals
(The Related Press)
“Whenever you see how Argentina will get the targets and the way we get the targets, and the way some Argentina gamers overstepped the mark and weren’t punished, then I feel all of it premeditated sport.
“I imply every thing I say,” he continued. “That Messi ought to develop into world champion? I feel so, sure.”
Having come out of retirement to take cost of the aspect for a 3rd time – following the sacking of Frank de Boer – Van Gaal led his aspect out of the group earlier than establishing a conflict with Argentina following a 3-1 round-of-16 fixture in opposition to the USA.
Nahuel Molina’s first-half strike and Messi’s 73rd-minute penalty had Argentina en course for a routine victory earlier than substitute Wout Weghorst’s dramatic last-gasp brace despatched the sport to extra-time with an equaliser within the eleventh minute of damage time.
In extra-time, tempers continued to flare with right-back Denzel Dumfries finally proven pink earlier than the penalty shootout. Virgin van Dijk and Steven Burghuis finally missed the primary two Dutch penalties as Argentina superior 4-3 victors.
Van Gaal left his put up following the defeat. He continues his restoration from prostate most cancers with which he was identified in 2022.
Fifa has not commented on Van Gaal’s claims.
