<P> In the second half, England playmaker David Beckham was sent off after a kick on Simeone, with the scores remaining unchanged until the end of normal time and extra time . Argentina won 4--3 on penalties, after Ayala scored the decisive spot kick to book their quarter - final spot, where the Netherlands awaited them . </P> <P> The game was an equally fought match, with both sides scoring early goals; Patrick Kluivert netting after just 12 minutes and Claudio López equalizing five minutes later . Argentina held an advantage as the Dutch went a man down with the dismissal of Arthur Numan after his second booking for a foul on Simeone, though they were unable to take the opportunity and break the deadlock before they too went a man down; with Ariel Ortega receiving two successive yellow cards, the first one for diving inside the penalty box, with the second coming after headbutting Dutch goalkeeper Edwin van der Sar . Argentina's defence held tightly as extra-time beckoned, until a long aerial ball from Dutch captain Frank de Boer found Dennis Bergkamp, who maneuvered around Ayala and beat the Argentine goalkeeper Roa to send the Dutch through, eliminating Argentina from the competition . </P> <P> Argentina had been eliminated at the group stage at Korea / Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, although they had been among the pre-tournament favorites . There was a high expectation of a better performance in the 2006 World Cup in Germany . Argentina qualified for the knockout stages with wins over the Ivory Coast (2--1) and Serbia and Montenegro (6--0), and a 0--0 draw with the Netherlands . </P> <P> In the round of 16, Argentina defeated Mexico 2--1 in extra-time, the winning goal scored by Maxi Rodríguez; this goal went on to win an online poll organized by FIFA as the best goal of the World Cup . In the quarter - final, they lost 4--2 in penalties against hosts Germany after a 1--1 draw . A brawl erupted between the Argentines and Germans after the game ended; unused substitute Leandro Cufré was sent off for kicking Per Mertesacker, while Maxi Rodríguez hit Bastian Schweinsteiger from behind . Following an investigation of video evidence, FIFA issued four - and two - game suspensions for Cufre and Rodríguez respectively . Germany's Torsten Frings was also suspended for the semi-final match for punching Julio Cruz . </P>

When was the last time argentina didn't make it to the world cup