Messi vs Ronaldo: Lionel Messi bagged his ninth World Cup Player of the Match award on Friday against the Netherlands. Messi was adjudged as POTM after Argentina’s victory in the penalty shootout of the FIFA World Cup 2022 Quarter-Finals. Portugal star Cristiano Ronaldo has seven POTM trophies in the quadrennial showpiece. Follow FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LIVE updates and Cristiano Ronaldo vs Lionel Messi with InsideSport.IN
Messi vs Ronaldo: Lionel Messi extends lead over arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, wins record 9th Player of the Match award in FIFA World Cup – CHECK out
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✅ No-look assist
✅ Goal to tie Batistuta’s #FIFAWorldCup record
✅ @Budweiser Player of the MatchAll in a night’s work for Lionel Messi. 🐐⁰
🇳🇱 #NEDARG 🇦🇷 #POTM #YoursToTake #BringHomeTheBud @budfootball pic.twitter.com/wVrCQHNQCv
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) December 9, 2022
In the QF clash, Argentina looked in total control after a first-half strike from Nahuel Molina (assisted by Messi), and a penalty from Lionel Messi, his 10th goal at a World Cup, had given them a two-goal cushion in the second half.
With a brilliant set-piece manoeuvre, the Netherlands made a comeback in the 101st minute and forced extra time. The South Americans ultimately prevailed in the penalty shootout, securing a semifinal matchup against Croatia.
In penalties, Argentina GK Emiliano Martinez saved from Virgil van Dijk and Steven Berghuis, leaving Lautaro Martinez to blast home Argentina’s fifth penalty and send the Albiceleste into the last four.
Messi has now either scored or set up six of Argentina’s nine goals at this World Cup.
Argentina captain Lionel Messi after the match said:
“We shouldn’t have had to go to extra-time or penalties, we had to suffer. But we made it through and it’s incredible.”
Messi vs Ronaldo: POTM in World Cups
With a player of the match award against Australia in the Round of 16, Messi moved above Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo, who has seven trophies.
Arjen Robben, a former Dutch football player, ranks third on the list with six Player of the Match honours. The POTM prizes were established in 2002.
Messi vs Ronaldo: Lionel Messi extends lead over arch-rival Cristiano Ronaldo, wins record 9th Player of the Match award in FIFA World Cup – CHECK out
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