Lionel Messi nowhere to be seen as Argentina train just hours after fiery World Cup win over Holland
ARGENTINA were back in training just hours after their heated World Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands, without talisman Lionel Messi.
The South American nation played out one of the games of the tournament as they beat Louis van Gaal’s side on penalties after a 2-2 thriller in regulation time.
A brilliantly disguised pass and a spot kick from Messi were cancelled out by Wout Weghorst‘s stunning brace before Emiliano Martinez became the nations penalty hero once again.
But the teams were embroiled in heated exchanges throughout the match and at full-time.
Despite the absence of Messi the squad were back in training following the dramatic shootout victory and appeared to be in a jubilant mood.
They were pictured doing a spin session on bikes as boss Lionel Scaloni oversaw them.
They were also pictured doing on the ball work with Roma ace Paulo Dybala pictured in the middle of a rondo.
The win yesterday has set up a semi-final against beaten 2018 finalists Croatia.
Croatia upset the odds ahead of Argentina’s match by sending favourites Brazil out on penalties.
The match between the two victorious penalty taking teams will take place on Tuesday at 7pm UK time, with the winner of that game taking on Wednesday’s semi-final victor.
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England need to beat France on Saturday in order to be in contention for the semi-final.
The clash will be England’s biggest test of the World Cup so far, with reigning champions France looking dangerous with top goalscorer Kylian Mbappe.