The Lionel Messi-led Argentina, as expected, enjoyed greater possession — 63 per cent — and tried 29 shots (eight on target) but it was Switzerland which had the better early chances. The Swiss, sitting deep in its 4-2-3-1 formation (which at times looked like a 4-4-1-1), were able to contain the twin threat of Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria, often resorting to unfair means (29 fouls) to stop them.
The play was largely confined in the Switzerland half with Messi, regularly falling deep, seeing more of the ball, compared to Argentina’s group games.
di Maria regularly switched flanks, often combining well with the overlapping Pablo Zabaleta but the Swiss defence, particularly Ricardo Rodriguez (seven clearances, six tackles, four interceptions), was up for the challenge.
Switzerland’s plan to hit the Argentine’s on the counter (mostly down the left) nearly paid off but Josip Drmic was guilty of wasting his effort after Xherdan Shaqiri (this time from the right, though) had released him with a long through ball between the two high-pressing Argentine centre backs.
Shaqiri, the ‘Alpine Messi’, was the main aggressor for the Swiss and was involved in almost all his team’s attacks, completing 39 of his 46 passes (19 out of 21 in the attacking third).
The real Messi tried hard, finding 21 of his 31 forward passes, as well as winning six tackles, and finally found di Maria on space in the 118th minute, who coolly converted to settle the tie.
