Roy Keane has defended Argentina's players for how they behaved in their World Cup quarter-final win over the Netherlands.
Both sides face disciplinary action after being charged by FIFA following the clash.
Spanish referee Antonio Mateu Lahoz issued 18 yellows cards in total at the Lusail Stadium, including two – and therefore a red – for the Netherlands’ Denzel Dumfries and two for Argentinian coaching staff.
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There were two major confrontations in the game, both coming late in the regulation 90 minutes as the Netherlands fought back from 2-0 down to force extra-time.
Players and technical staff from both sides were involved in the commotion.
Lionel Scaloni’s side eventually triumphed 4-3 on penalties and his players were quick to goad their opponents, with Messi and shoot-out hero Emiliano Martinez publicly taking aim at Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal.
But Keane stated he found it difficult to be critical of Argentina over their actions.
He said on ITV ahead of Argentina's semi-final clash with Croatia: "I didn't like to see that, but what we have to say, we criticised them after the first game when they got beaten, saying they didn't show enough fight so we can't now criticise them for that because that is fight. We don't like to see it but they showed that.
"They're desperate to win and when you play top level football, you do stuff on the pitch, you look back and think 'maybe I shouldn't' have done it', but when you're that desperate to win, I don't think you can be too critical."
Messi captained on Tuesday night Argentina against 2018 runners-up Croatia as they attempted to reach the World Cup final for a sixth time at Lusail Stadium.
Croatia named the same side that started against Brazil, while Argentina made two changes with Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez replaced by Leandro Paredes as Lionel Scaloni reverted to a back four.
Nicolas Tagliafico also came into the starting XI to replace Marcos Acuna, who was suspended.
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