Argentina reached the World Cup semi-final with a 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland, setting up a meeting with England, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-final, scoring twice in extra time.
- England now awaits Argentina in the semi-final.
- Two of Argentina's three knockout-round matches have gone to extra time.
- Switzerland criticised VAR after a 'mistaken identity' check.
- Lionel Scaloni has been Argentina head coach for nearly eight years.
Argentina’s defence of their World Cup title continued with a hard-fought 3-1 win over Switzerland in Saturday’s quarter-final, according to the Guardian. The reigning champions scored twice in extra time to advance, setting up a semi-final against England.
The result underlined a recurring theme of Argentina’s campaign. The Guardian notes that the defending champions have taken two of their three knockout-round matches to extra time, a run that has demanded resilience from Lionel Scaloni’s side.
Switzerland’s exit was not without controversy. The Guardian reports that the Swiss hit out at VAR following a ‘mistaken identity’ check during the match.
Throughout the tournament, from the opening game through to Saturday’s quarter-final, Scaloni has repeatedly been asked the same question: what he considers the legacy of this Argentina side. The Guardian’s Pablo Iglesias Maurer writes that the question has followed the coach across the whole World Cup.
Scaloni has been Argentina’s head coach for nearly eight years, and the Guardian describes his personal legacy as long since solidified, as are those of many of the players who featured against Switzerland.
During his tenure, Scaloni ended a three-decade trophy drought, delivered the country’s third World Cup and added a pair of Copa Américas. The Guardian describes him as Argentina’s most successful coach, noting that while his appointment was controversial at the time, he is now almost universally revered in Argentina.
Why it matters
A semi-final between the defending champions and England is one of the marquee fixtures of the World Cup. Argentina's reliance on extra time in the knockout stage sets up a compelling test of endurance against a major footballing nation.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Argentina beat to reach the semi-final?
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-final, scoring twice in extra time, according to the Guardian.
Who will Argentina play in the semi-final?
Argentina will face England in the World Cup semi-final, according to the Guardian.
How long has Lionel Scaloni been Argentina's coach?
Scaloni has been Argentina's head coach for nearly eight years and is described by the Guardian as the country's most successful coach.