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Netherlands’ World Cup Ends Again in PK Heartbreak Despite van Gaal’s Evolution

LUSAIL, Qatar — Louis van Gaal being Louis van Gaal, this may not be the end; he has already expressed interest in succeeding Roberto Martínez with Belgium. But defeat in a penalty shootout against Argentina after a furious rally salvaged a 2–2 draw and, for at least 30 additional minutes, the Dutch's World Cup, is the end for him with the Netherlands. He took the job—for the third time—after the Euros, replacing Frank De Boer, and has gone unbeaten since, rescuing a listing World Cup qualifying campaign and making it look, briefly, as though the Dutch, even with a very average squad, might win the World Cup.