Teary Argentina, Messi now face World Cup’s last Cinderella team in quarter-finals
Switzerland have not qualified for the last eight since 1954, when they were hosts, and have never advanced to the semi-finals
For a while on Tuesday, it appeared that the players of World Cup holders Argentina might shed a tear following their round-of-16 match against Egypt.
And Argentina star Lionel Messi was seen weeping after the final whistle, but it was out of joy and relief rather than disappointment. Argentina trailed by two goals with 11 minutes to play in Atlanta, then stormed back for a stunning 3-2 victory.
Rather than pack up their base camp at Sporting Kansas City’s Compass Minerals National Performance Centre, Argentina will stick around for a while longer and play another match in the city.
Saturday’s quarter-final at Kansas City Stadium (Arrowhead) will pit Argentina against Switzerland, who defeated Colombia 4-3 in a penalty shoot-out following a scoreless draw in Vancouver.
Switzerland are the last Cinderella in the tournament as they had not made a World Cup quarter-final since 1954. The Swiss, who have never advanced to the semi-finals, will try to make history in Kansas City.
Argentina’s comeback was fuelled by Messi – who else? – as he assisted on the first goal, then scored to level the score. Argentina won it in added time at the end of the second half with Enzo Fernández’s header, holding off the Egyptian upset bid.