World Cup: Argentina players reacting wildly to shoot-out win goes viral

Images of Argentina players goading their dejected opposition have gone viral following their thrilling, but contentious World Cup quarter-final victory over the Netherlands on Friday night.

After a 2-2 draw, Argentina beat the Dutch 4-3 on penalties to advance to a semi-final encounter with Croatia on Tuesday.

It was a match which finished with 17 players or coaching staff members shown yellow cards during or after the game - a record for a World Cup match.

Read More: Lionel Messi calls Netherlands hero a ‘fool’ after argument with Van Gaal and Davids

After Lautaro Martinez had lashed home the winning penalty, Argentina players sprinted towards their goalkeeper, but not before darting via the Oranje players who were sinking to their knees.

It was fronted by Nicolas Otamendi, who came closest to the Dutch penalty takers by cupping his ears with both hands.

It has been reported that Argentina were riled by Dutch players approaching Enzo Fernandez and Martinez before their penalty kicks.

"I celebrated in their faces because on every penalty one of their players was saying things to ours,” Otamendi reportedly said.

The last eight match had turned ugly as normal time ticked down when Leandro Paredes fouled Nathan Ake before the Argentinian smashed the ball towards the Dutch dugout.

He was lucky to only be shown a yellow card as both dugouts became embroiled in an on-field melee, and then again briefly at the full-time whistle in normal time.

There was also no love lost in the post-match comments, with Aston Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who saved twice in the shoot-out, telling outgoing Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal to “keep his mouth shut”.

Martinez also lambasted referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz, who struggled to keep a lid on an encounter which threatened to get out of control.

“It was a tricky game,” Martinez told beIN Sports. “I thought we controlled the game really well. We went 2-0 up, basically we controlled the game. The ref was just giving everything for them.

“He gave 10 minutes (stoppage time) for no reason. He was giving free-kicks outside the box for them, like two, three times.

Read More: Fifa charges Argentina for disorders

“He just wanted them to score, that’s basically it. So, hopefully we don’t have that ref anymore. He’s useless.”

Of the Netherlands boss, Martinez said: “I heard Van Gaal saying, ‘We’ve got an advantage in penalties. If we go to penalties we win.’

“I think he needs to keep his mouth shut.”

On Saturday, Fifa opened disciplinary proceedings against the South American side for its player actions, citing “order and security at matches”.

Watch: Argentina win dramatic quarter-final