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Argentina and Switzerland had some very different World Cup resumes coming into Saturday night’s quarterfinal match in Kansas City.
The Lionel Messi-led Argentina team is battling to win its second World Cup in a row, while the Swiss found themselves in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 after defeating Colombia on penalties.
Argentina survived a scare against Egypt, and that set up an interesting matchup between an offensive juggernaut and a Swiss squad that has leaned on its defense.
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Lionel Messi and Argentina had to get through Switzerland to continue their quest for back-to-back World Cup titles. (Photo by MB Media/Getty Images)
It didn’t take too long for Argentina’s offense to get started. In the 10th minute, moments after Messi sailed a corner past the front of the net, Alexis Mac Allister put the reigning champs on the board.
Argentina continued to control possession, though only slightly, while Switzerland matched it stride for stride and created a handful of chances. Argentina, meanwhile, failed to capitalize on a couple of excellent opportunities.
The game went to halftime with Mac Allister’s tally being the only one on the board, which Switzerland would probably consider a win in a lot of ways. Keeping the reigning champs within arm’s reach is no small feat.
In the second half, Switzerland continued to put some pressure on, and even made Argentine goaltender Emiliano Martinez make some key saves.
Switzerland’s Dan Ndoye celebrates the tying goal against Argentina on Saturday in Kansas City. (Photo by Kyle Rivas – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
In the 67th minute, that pressure paid off with the Swiss shocking the heavily pro-Argentina crowd when Dan Ndoye evened things up at 1-1.
Momentum had definitely swung in Switzerland’s favor, but then Switzerland got hit with a brutal decision from the officials.
Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was given a yellow card, but upon review, the call was reversed, 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 headed to extra time, and that was thanks to a stunning save on an Argentina corner from Switzerland’s Gregor Kobel in the final moments of regulation.
In the first half of extra time, Argentina’s Thiago Almada and Lautaro Martínez were both shown yellow cards. Meanwhile, Switzerland managed to keep the match level despite being down a man.
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez celebrates his goal in extra time that proved to be the game-winner. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)
However, in the 112th minute, Argentina’s Julian Alvarez called game with a beauty from way out to punch Argentina’s ticket to the semifinals.
Unreal.
How many more scares are Argentina fans going to be able to take?
Argentina tacked on another just as added time began to extend their lead to 3-1.
It’s 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 a stunning nine games.
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The semifinal matchups are now set, and they are doozies.
Spain and France will square off on Tuesday in Arlington, while Argentina moves on for a showdown with England on Wednesday in Atlanta.
