Van Dijk feels ‘very hurt’ after Netherlands penalty shootout defeat to Argentina

lost 4-3 against

on penalties in the World Cup quarterfinals on Friday. Argentina was up with two goals but Wout Weghorst scored twice  in 82th and 101st minutes for Louis Van Gaal's side.

After the match, Van Dijk said he is very hurt and sad after the Netherlands elimination from the

"I'm very disappointed that we're out of the tournament, after a very eventful game,"

Virgil Van Dijk told reporters.

"We showed great character, we came back last 15 minutes, got extra time then it's penalties.

"Unfortunately we couldn't get the job done. We're going home. I'm very sad about that, but that's life. We lost on penalties, and that's the thing that is difficult. It's like a lottery.

"We practiced penalties a lot but unfortunately, he [Emiliano Martinez] made two great saves and we're out.

"I think we were confident, but you can't replicate a full stadium where 80,000 fans are whistling against you and a different goalie that you don't face in training."

Van Dijk took the first penalty for the Netherlands but his effort was saved by Emiliano Martinez. Liverpool defender said he is very hurt and feels he has let his team down.

He said:

"I never took it in the Premier League, so it's quite difficult. It's never easy, you're under pressure, but I was looking forward to it, I was ready for it.

"He saved it, fair play to him. Bad for us, bad for me. I'm very sad, but unfortunately things like this happen in life and it's about how you deal with it.

"I'll be very sad for the next period and I'll regroup, be with my family, and think about good things in life.

"These things happen unfortunately, you can miss. But it doesn't mean you feel fine, I'm very hurt and I felt like I let my guys down a bit. It's about turning that feeling into hunger for the rest of the season."

Nathan Ake also said the defeat is painful but they are proud of themselves.

"We can be proud. Obviously we wanted more but it wasn't to be,"

Ake explained.

"We stayed in the game, we tried to fight back. In the end, it's painful.

"Maybe in extra time we should've pushed on a bit more, but the legs were a little bit tired."

The referee showed 15 cards at this match which is a new record for a World Cup match in history.

"That's part of football,"

Ake added.

"They love their country, they want to fight for their country and we have the same. It's an emotional game. Everyone wants to go through.

"In the end, the penalties decided the game and not the referee."

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