The Netherlands fought back from 2-0 down to level Friday’s match with the last kick of normal time, but eventually lost on penalties.
Both sides clashed numerous times, with referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz showing a record breaking seventeen yellow cards to players and staff.
Even after the full-time whistle had gone, emotions continued to sill over, with Dutch defender Denzel Dumfries even shown a second yellow and red for his antics.
But Argentina captain Messi was also heavily involved in the fracas, clashing with none other than Holland manager Van Gaal on the touchline, with coaching staff, including Edgar Davids, having to separate the two.
It is not known exactly what was said, though some have theorised that Messi was having a go at Van Gaal over comments the manager made in the build-up to the game.
‘It’s not that difficult to come up with an answer as to how to stop him,’ the 71-year-old said of Messi.
‘You might want to block and close the passing lines. I can’t see this creating too much of a hoo-ha.’
This was not the end of the matter however, as later in the tunnel Messi was being interviewed on live TV, when he appeared to lock eyes with an unseen individual, reported to again be Van Gaal.
The 35-year-old furiously asked: ‘What are you looking at? Go ahead, stupid.’
Then during the interview, he added: ‘Van Gaal says that they [Holland] play good football, but what he did was put tall people and hit long balls.’
Perhaps ironically, it was that tactic that allowed the Dutch back into the game in the first place.
Argentina will now face Croatia in the semi-finals on Tuesday.
MORE : Lionel Messi slams World Cup referee after horror show during quarter-final between Netherlands and Argentina
MORE : Brazil boss Tite explains why Neymar didn’t take a penalty against Croatia in World Cup shootout defeat
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