This is an AI-generated summary, which may contain errors. For context, always refer to the full article.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina side continue their quest to become the first team to retain the FIFA World Cup since Brazil in 1962 as they ended Switzerland’s legendary run.
KANSAS CITY, USA – Argentina’s Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored in overtime to seal a 3-1 quarterfinal victory over 10-man Switzerland on Saturday, July 11 (Sunday, July 10, Manila time), setting up a heavyweight quarterfinal showdown with England.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina side kept alive their bid to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962 with a win that sent shockwaves through the sky-blue-and-white fans and ended Switzerland’s legendary run.
The Swiss reached the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the first time since 1954, but fell one game short of the semi-finals, suffering a major blow when Breel Embolo was sent off for diving in the 72nd minute.
The thriller – Kansas City’s final World Cup game – appeared to be headed for a shootout before Alvarez, who was outstanding all night, fired a long-range shot into the top corner in the 112th minute that Gregor Kobel had no chance of saving.
Martinez added a third for the scorers nine minutes later when he calmly scored a rebound from Thiago Almada.
“We are used to suffering,” Almada said. “We have come from being champions and now being among the top four is not easy at all. We want to seek glory and put Argentina at the top.”
Argentina takes an early lead
Alexis Mac Allister had given Argentina the lead in the 10th minute, meeting Messi’s corner at the front gate with a deflected header that went past Kobel and into the far corner. It was the first time Switzerland was kicked out of the tournament.
But the Swiss – without injured top scorer Johan Manzambi, who had three goals and two assists – refused to dry up.
After a lackluster first half, the contest burst into life as the Swiss repeatedly tested Emiliano Martinez, forcing the Argentine goalkeeper to make a save and sending the South American fans into full voice.
An equalizer felt inevitable as the Swiss piled on the pressure, and they were rewarded in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye exchanged passes with Ricardo Rodriguez down the left before finishing right-footed through the legs of Martinez.
Ndoye shot a nearby television camera as the small section of Swiss fans erupted.
However, Switzerland were reduced to 10 men when Embolo received a second yellow card for cheating. It came after a lengthy VAR review into mistaken identity, with the referee overturning his earlier decision to caution Argentina’s Leandro Paredes.
The call left Swiss coach Murat Yakin confused.
“I know that (FIFA) will protect their referee, but this rule ruined our game today, and it is very painful,” he said. “And to be taken away in that way is very painful. Unfortunately, we have to accept it.”
Embolo broke down in tears and was comforted by his teammates as he left the field.
“This team has a lot of passion. Despite the fact that we were one man down, we gave it our all. I am very proud of everyone,” Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said.
Switzerland was pushed back
Argentina responded to Switzerland’s disaster by pushing them back for a long time. Cheered on by fans who made Arrowhead Stadium feel more like Buenos Aires than Kansas City, they surged forward as chants of “Vamos, vamos!” supported the area.
Messi, playing in his sixth World Cup at the age of 39, came close to ending the contest in the dying minutes with a powerful shot that blazed inches wide of the post.
Switzerland faced wave after wave of pressure and looked set to force a shootout but their resistance was broken in the final minutes of extra time.
“We had to suffer a lot. We knew they were a physical team and that gave us a lot of trouble,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni. “Today we were lucky because one of their players was sent off with a red card. We could have played better but it is a great achievement to reach the semi-finals.”
The distraught Swiss fell to their knees, consoling each other, while Argentina’s star squad remained on the pitch soaking up the atmosphere as Messi took off his shirt and waved it over his head in front of the Argentine fans.
Wednesday’s semi-final will be the first time England will meet Messi at the World Cup. – Rappler.com
