Fortune has favored Lionel Messi in almost every match of Argentina’s journey to the knockout stages of the World Cup. And Lionel Messi has magic too. Which is inevitably demonizing for opponents. Sunday morning was no exception. But today two more surprises were added. One is Juliana Alvarez and the other is goalkeeper Amy Martinez.
The Swiss warriors put up a great fight in the quarter-finals, but Argentina had the last laugh at the end of the day. Alvarez’s magical goal saw them beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to reach the semi-finals.
Argentina had to stumble to win the first two knockout rounds of the World Cup. Cape Verde put Messi’s team under a lot of pressure in the first round. Mohamed Salah’s Egypt fired up Argentina fans in the second game. He was no exception in the quarter finals. Despite playing with 10 men for a long time, Switzerland dragged Lionel Messi’s team to extra time.
Argentina started well in the match on Sunday morning. Argentina’s McAllister scored the first goal. Messi’s magic helped there too. Mack headed in Leo’s perfect cross from an Alastair corner and into the net. It was Messi’s 10th assist in the World Cup. He surpassed the legendary Diego Maradona in assists.
But after that goal, La Albiceleste kind of faded away. It is clear that the fatigue of playing consecutive matches is putting pressure on the footballers of the blue-white brigade. Switzerland slowly tried to return to the match. It also created several opportunities.
It was goalkeeper Amy Martinez who prevented Switzerland from equalizing in the first half. Had he not made two big saves, Lionel Scaloni’s side would have been under pressure. It was especially commendable in the 41st minute when Dibu himself managed a one-on-one to save the team.
The Swiss dominated at the beginning of the second half. This time too Dibu faced several tough tests. Each time he defended the team like the Great Wall of China. But the Swiss attack seems to keep growing. In the 67th minute, Switzerland’s Endo equalized.
At the time, Switzerland seemed a bit of an advantage. But luck has always favored Argentina. He did the same today. Brill Embolo of Switzerland was sent off in the 72nd minute after receiving a second yellow card for diving. Granit Jakar’s team was reduced to 10 people. He ended the war with 10 men. There they took the match to extra time.
Argentina could not put much pressure on the 10-man Swiss defense in extra time. At one point, it seemed that penalties would decide the fate of the match. That’s when Alvarez had his magic moment. Alvarez scored an incredible goal from outside the box to lead Messi’s men to victory. However, another goal came from the feet of Lautaro Martinez. But by then the fate of the match was decided.