05 September 2023 , 12:29
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Virgil van Dijk doesn't believe last year's World Cup was fixed by FIFA... after his ex-manager Louis van Gaal suggested otherwise.
Van Gaal, who coached the Netherlands at the tournament in Qatar, raised eyebrows by suggesting the World Cup was fixed so Lionel Messi and Argentina would be victorious. Argentina defeated the Netherlands on penalties in their quarter-final.
Van Dijk, who played in that game, was asked for his opinion on the matter ahead of the upcoming international fixtures. The Netherlands take on Greece and the Republic of Ireland over the next week, as their Euro 2024 qualification bid continues.
While Van Dijk accepts that "everyone is allowed to have an opinion", he doesn't agree with his former manager. Van Gaal stepped down from his role with the Netherlands after their World Cup exit, with Ronald Koeman returning to the hot seat.
"I heard it this morning, indeed," Van Dijk told Dutch outlet NOS when asked about Van Gaal's allegations. "And that's actually it. It is of course his opinion. Everyone is allowed to have an opinion. I do not share the same opinion."
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Van Gaal made his claim while speaking at an awards ceremony the previous evening. The former Manchester United manager suggested that refereeing decisions went against the Dutch in that quarter-final and thinks the result was "premeditated".
"I don't really want to say much about it," said Van Gaal. "When you see how Argentina gets the goals and how we get the goals, and how some Argentina players overstepped the mark and were not punished, then I think it all premeditated game."
When pressed on his comments, Van Gaal added: "I mean everything I say. That Messi should become world champion? I think so, yes."
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It's hard to forget that memorable quarter-final between Argentina and the Netherlands. The eventual winners took the lead in the first-half when Messi assisted Nahuel Molina with an audacious pass through the heart of the Dutch defence.
Argentina were awarded a penalty when Marcos Acuna went down following a soft challenge from Denzel Dumfries. Messi converted it to leave most fans assuming the game was done. Yet a late brace from Wout Weghorst kept the Dutch alive.
Argentina then won on penalties to go through. The game was marred by controversy, with referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz issuing 16 yellow cards to players (including two to Dumfries). Mateu Lahoz was sent home from the tournament after that game.
Messi also clashed with Weghorst after the tie, telling the Dutchman: "What are you looking at bobo (fool)? Get back there."