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Angel Di Maria's extra-time winner carried Argentina into the World
Cup quarter-finals after an unconvincing display against Switzerland.
The two-time champions dominated possession in a turgid
last-16 tie, but were unable to break through until Di Maria swept in
Lionel Messi's pass.
Switzerland defender Blerim Dzemaili headed against the Argentina post then prodded wide after Di Maria's winner.
Argentina will face Belgium, who
beat the USA,
in the last eight on Saturday.
It was a remarkable conclusion to a match that saw Argentina, rated among the favourites to win the World Cup, produce another distinctly average performance in neighbouring Brazil.
Real Madrid winger Di Maria was wasteful in promising positions throughout but kept his composure when it mattered most, coolly sweeping an angled shot into the bottom corner after Messi's pass found him advancing into the area.
About 40,000 Argentina fans were estimated to be inside the Arena de Sao Paulo and Di Maria's late intervention sparked wild celebrations between players and fans.
Di Maria's angled strike left Switzerland with just minutes to respond
The 65-year-old German, who was twice voted World Coach of the Year, retires after winning 19 major club trophies for Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Grasshoppers.
Argentina failed to find top form during the group stage as Messi's brilliance inspired them to three narrow victories against Bosnia-Hercegovina, Iran and Nigeria.
And they failed to impress again as Switzerland, who progressed as Group E runners-up with wins against Ecuador and Honduras, frustrated them for long periods.
Match statistics |
||
|---|---|---|
|
Argentina |
Switzerland |
|
|
1 |
Goals |
0 |
|
8 |
Shots on target |
4 |
|
9 |
Shots off target |
8 |
|
12 |
Blocked Shots |
3 |
|
13 |
Corners |
5 |
|
18 |
Fouls |
29 |
|
64 |
Possession % |
37 |
The Swiss offered little forward threat themselves, focusing more on keeping their shape.
But just before the half-hour mark, it was Hitzfeld's side who created the best chances of the opening 45 minutes.
Xherdan Shaqiri's cute cutback found Granit Xhaka, whose drilled shot was palmed clear by Sergio Romero. And the Argentina keeper then sprang quickly to his feet to block Stephan Lichtsteiner's long-range shot seconds later.
It might have served as a warning for Argentina - but they failed to take notice.
Shaqiri pinched possession to pick out Josip Drmic but, as an indecisive Romero decided to stay close to his goalline, the Swiss striker's attempted chip was easily gathered by the Argentine.
Although the South Americans began to move the ball more quickly after the interval, only Messi looked capable of unlocking Switzerland's sturdy defence.
The Barcelona star sent a vicious volley dipping over the crossbar before jinking into the penalty area shortly after, forcing Diego Benaglio to push out his low shot.
Switzerland barely moved the ball out of their own half in the final 20 minutes as Messi continued to orchestrate Argentina's best attacking moves.
Match facts |
|
|---|---|
|
Argentina have been on the winning side in six of their seven World Cup games that have gone to extra time. |
Switzerland's last shot on target in this match came in the 50th minute. |
|
Di Maria's 118th-minute goal was the latest scored by Argentina at the World Cup. |
Switzerland have failed to score in their last three World Cup knockout matches, last scoring in one in 1954. |
The European side stuck rigidly to their game plan in the additional half-hour, refusing to become more adventurous as penalties approached - before Di Maria finally netted with Argentina's 28th effort at goal.
Benaglio joined the Swiss attack in a frantic final few minutes, and his side came desperately close to saving themselves when an unmarked Dzemaili headed down and onto the foot of a post from inside the six-yard box, before jabbing a leg instinctively at the rebound.
There was still time for Shaqiri to hit a free-kick into the wall before Argentina's bid for a third World Cup progressed to a quarter-final in Brasilia on Saturday.
About 70,000 Argentina fans
arrived in Sao Paulo before the match, with 20,000 officially having
tickets to watch inside the stadium
Four-time World Player of the Year Lionel Messi was given little space by the Swiss
Argentina's Sergio Romero was the busier goalkeeper in the first half
Switzerland fans were
outnumbered by their Argentina counterparts, but were backed by
Swiss-born Fifa president Sepp Blatter (right)
Defeat marked the end of
Switzerland boss Ottmar Hitzfeld's managerial career. The 65-year-old,
who discovered shortly before the match that his brother had died, is
now retiring.
Lineup, Bookings (5) & Substitutions (6)
Argentina
- 01 Romero
- 04 Zabaleta
- 16 Rojo Booked (Basanta - 106' )
- 14 Mascherano
- 17 Fernández
- 02 Garay Booked
- 22 Lavezzi (Palacio - 74' )
- 05 Gago (Biglia - 105' )
- 09 Higuaín
- 10 Messi
- 07 Di María Booked
Substitutes
- 03 Campagnaro
- 06 Biglia
- 08 Pérez
- 11 Rodríguez
- 12 Orión
- 13 Fernández
- 15 Demichelis
- 18 Palacio
- 19 Álvarez
- 20 Agüero
- 21 Andujar
- 23 Basanta
Switzerland
- 01 Benaglio
- 02 Lichtsteiner
- 13 Rodriguez
- 11 Behrami
- 22 Schär
- 20 Djourou
- 10 Xhaka Booked (Fernandes - 66' Booked )
- 08 Inler
- 19 Drmic (Seferovic - 82' )
- 23 Shaqiri
- 18 Mehmedi (Dzemaili - 113' )
Substitutes
- 03 Ziegler
- 04 Senderos
- 06 Lang
- 07 Barnetta
- 09 Seferovic
- 12 Sommer
- 14 Stocker
- 15 Dzemaili
- 16 Fernandes
- 17 Gavranovic
- 21 Bürki
Ref: Jonas Eriksson
Att: 63,255
