Netherlands head coach Louis van Gaal confirmed he would be stepping down from the role after his side were knocked out of the World Cup by Argentina on Friday.

They put in a dramatic showing in the quarter final, coming back from two goals down to equalise late in injury time, but were then outclassed in the penalty shoot-out as Emi Martinez made two excellent saves.

After the game, van Gaal stood by his record in his third stint as Holland boss but confirmed he would not continue in the role.

He said: ‘First and foremost I will not be continuing as a head coach for the Dutch team because I only did it for this period of time.

‘This was my very last match. My third term as a head coach. In that time I coached 20 matches but I didn’t lose a single one. I think it is Google you can look that up on. I am looking back on a fantastic period of time with a great group of players.

‘I don’t think I’ve been beaten today, only in a penalty shoutout.

‘I had a wonderful time and yes it is incredibly painful to see how we have been eliminated. Particularly because I did everything to prevent this from happening.’

The 71-year-old manager cut a playful figure when interviewed before the game as he joked with Memphis Depay, but he had always planned to step down after the tournament.

Reaching the quarter finals is a definite improvement for Holland after they failed to qualify at all in 2018, but will be something of a disappointment after finishing second and third in 2010 and 2014. They remain one of the most successful footballing nations to never win a World Cup.

Argentina’s victory means they will face Croatia for a spot in the final at the Lusail Stadium on Tuesday