World Cup: Leo Messi And Argentina Survive Late Drama To Defeat Switzerland

By Khaled Abdallah | Jul 1, 2014

Lionel Messi and Argentina survived a late scare in extra time to defeat Switzerland and book a place in the World Cup quarterfinals against the winner of the match between the United States and Belgium. One of the pre-tournament favorites, Argentina easily topped one of the easier groups in this World Cup by defeating Iran, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Nigeria to earn a round of 16 tie with the Swiss.

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Argentina did so on the back of four goals from star man Leo Messi who scored the match winners against Bosnia and in dramatic fashion against a dogged Iran side in the 90th minute. This time around it took quite a bit longer for Barcelona’s little magician to really make his impact felt against the Swiss.

After 90 minutes full of chances for both the Swiss and Argentina with the best falling to Switzerland’s Josip Drmic. Angel Di Maria and Messi himself had their fair share of chances but Swiss keeper Diego Benaglio played a fantastic match and denied the Argentines time and again. The Swiss defense held Messi down and surrounded him with two or three defenders every time he touched the ball He still posed a big threat but could not find the breakthrough despite the chances presented to him.

Finally in the 118th minute of the match, Messi made his mark. After Stephan Lichtsteiner lost possession in midfield, Messi picked up the ball and found himself with space to run at a tired Swiss defense. He shook off a tackle or two and found Di Maria who opened up his body and slotted home the winner his left boot and saved his team from the drama of penalties.

This World Cup has been Messi’s coming out party on the international stage as he tries to write his name in the annals of World Cup history. Messi was not his usual dominant self against the Swiss but it was his little bit of magic that saw his country through to the quarterfinals.