Messi’s early burst down the flank forces Boulahrouz into a sliding challenge that concedes a corner for Argentina.

Messi embarks on his first notable run but is eventually dispossessed by Kuyt, who has tracked back to help the Dutch midfield.

Messi skips past two defenders and attempts a one-two with Riquelme before being stopped by a tackle; Cufré then has a cross cleared.

Riquelme, Messi and Rodríguez string together neat passes, with Messi’s quick jink helping Argentina glide into the Dutch final third before his attempted through ball to Tevez runs offside.

Riquelme drives a low ball into the box and a sliding Messi redirects it, sending the ball against the post in Argentina’s closest chance of the match.

Messi and Riquelme nearly pass their way through the Dutch defence with another intricate one-two, but the final return ball doesn’t come off.

Messi quickly takes a throw-in to release the alert Rodríguez, whose run ends with a tight-angle shot into the side netting.

Advancing from midfield, Messi unleashes a shot that is blocked by Ooijer’s shins, earning Argentina a corner.

In first-half stoppage time, Messi glides through the Dutch lines and strikes firmly, but Van der Sar is well-placed to make the save.

Right after the restart, Messi finds the elusive Tevez with a forward pass, initiating another Argentine attack before Mascherano blasts over from distance.

Messi spots Cufré in space on the left and picks him out, but the full-back’s ensuing cross drifts harmlessly to Van der Sar.

Messi tries to drive forward again but strong defending from Boulahrouz holds him up, at the cost of conceding another corner.

Messi and Riquelme combine in a slick interchange that culminates with Riquelme dragging a shot just wide of the far post.

Messi wins the ball high up the pitch for Argentina and looks for the return from Riquelme, but the attempted pass back to him is cut out.

Riquelme picks out Messi, who runs at Jaliens and manages to deliver a cross, but Boulahrouz is positioned to clear.

In the 69th minute Argentina make a change, with Messi substituted off and striker Julio Cruz coming on to replace him.