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Argentina and Switzerland had some very different World Cup resumes going into Saturday night’s quarterfinal match in Kansas City.
The Lionel Messi-led Argentina side are fighting to win their second consecutive World Cup, while the Swiss found themselves in the quarter-finals for the first time since 1954 after defeating Colombia on penalties.
Argentina survived a scare against Egypt, and it made for an interesting matchup between an offensive juggernaut and a Swiss side that has leaned on its defense.
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Lionel Messi and Argentina had to get through Switzerland to continue their quest for World Cup titles. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
It didn’t take long for Argentina’s offense to get going. In the 10th minute, moments after Messi sailed a corner past the front of the net, Alexis Mac Allister put the reigning champions on the board.
Argentina continued to control possession, albeit only slightly, while Switzerland matched it step for step and created a handful of chances. Argentina, meanwhile, failed to capitalize on a couple of excellent opportunities.
The game went into half-time with Mac Allister’s tally the only one on the board, which Switzerland would probably consider a victory in many ways. Keeping the reigning champions within reach is no small feat.
In the second half, Switzerland continued to apply some pressure, even getting Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez to make some key saves.
Switzerland’s Dan Ndoye celebrates scoring the equalizer against Argentina on Saturday in Kansas City. (Photo by Kyle Rivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
In the 67th minute, that pressure paid off and the Swiss shocked the heavily pro-Argentina crowd when Dan Ndoye equalized at 1-1.
The momentum had definitely swung in Switzerland’s favor, but then Switzerland was hit by a brutal decision from the officials.
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow card, but on review the call was overturned and the yellow card was given to Switzerland’s Breel Embolo.
Critically, this was his second yellow card of the game, so he was sent off and Switzerland had to continue with just 10 players.
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However, the Swiss managed to stay alive and this one was heading to extra time thanks to a great save on an Argentine corner by Switzerland’s Gregor Kobel in the final moments of regulation.
In the first half of extra time, Argentina’s Thiago Almada and Lautaro MartÃnez both received yellow cards. Meanwhile, Switzerland managed to keep the match level despite being down a man.
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez celebrates his extra time goal that proved to be the match winner. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
But in the 112th minute, Argentina’s Julian Alvarez called the game with a beauty from way out to punch Argentina’s ticket to the semi-finals.
Unreal.
How many more scares will Argentina fans be able to take?
Argentina struck once more just as added time began to extend their lead to 3-1.
It is worth noting that Messi did not score in this game, ending his scoring streak – which dated back to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar – at an amazing nine games.
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The semi-final matches are now set and they are doozies.
Spain and France meet on Tuesday in Arlington, while Argentina advance to a showdown with England on Wednesday in Atlanta.
