Nine months after his Netherlands team lost to Argentina at the 2022 FIFA World Cup, Louis van Gaal seems to have suggested the tournament was rigged so Lionel Messi would become a world champion.
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The Dutch suffered defeat to the eventual winners of the competition at the quarter-final stage, losing in a dramatic penalty shootout after the encounter ended 2-2 after 120 minutes.
Argentina went two goals ahead after strikes from Nahuel Molina and Messi, before substitute Wout Weghorst scored two late goals to force the game into extra-time in a match during which 14 players received yellow cards and Denzel Dumfries was sent off.
The tension only increased after the Albiceleste's victory as Messi was involved in a one-way verbal spat with Van Gaal, while he also took aim at Weghorst, whom he called a "bozo" during a post-match interview.
Van Gaal, who stepped down from his position immediately after the game, has since reflected on the quarter-final, hinting that he believes the World Cup was contrived to favour Argentina and their No. 10.
"I don't really want to say much about it," he said, according to Dutch outlet NOS.
"If you see how Argentina gets the goals and how we get the goals and how some of Argentina's players crossed the line and weren't punished, then I think it's all preconceived game.
"I mean everything I say by that. That Messi had to become world champion? I think so, yes."
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Messi celebrated his goal in the game by holding his hands up to his ears and staring at Van Gaal, believed to be in response to comments the Dutchman had made leading up to the tie.
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