From Buenos Aires to Bangladesh, there was excitement on Saturday night or Sunday morning, depending on where you sat. Argentina’s dream of a “repeat” remained alive when Julian Alvarez’s curling strike in extra time beat the outstretched hands of Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kerber and into the far corner. Lautaro Martinez added another goal in stoppage time to seal a 3-1 victory, setting up a semi-final against England that will have a famous undercurrent in history.But as the Three Lions’ Germany boss Thomas Tuchel said “they were lucky to win” against Norway, Argentina’s die-hards will also know deep down that they have escaped.Argentina took the lead in the 10th minute when Alexis MacAllister headed in Messi’s corner kick, but the second half started differently. Switzerland began to dominate the midfield while Argentina’s defense kept retreating. A brilliant move that culminated in winger Dan Ndoye’s equalizer in the 67th minute had Argentina fans around the world worried.In their last two games against Cape Verde and Egypt, the three-time champions have come late but never finished second on the pitch. But for 20 second-half minutes in Dallas, the defending champions seemed to be chasing the shadow of better-coached European teams.This situation lasted until the 72nd minute, when Swiss forward Embolo suffered a brain coma, all of which gave the European team a chance to participate in the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954. Embolo, already booked, threw himself unnecessarily to the ground in an attempt to claim a card for Leandro Paredes, but VAR ruled out a simulation that led to his expulsion.He was distraught, the Swiss were shocked and social media went wild, but the letter of the law could not deny it. This was Embolo’s simulation, and the Portuguese referee had the authority to give him marching orders.The game completely changed after that. For Switzerland, playing with 10 men was a matter of life and death for nearly 50 minutes as they defended with two lines of four. Argentina’s attack was good, but from their perspective, this phase of the game was not very inspiring either.The passing was slow, the crosses unimaginative and even Messi, by his own galactic standards, was a bit out of form. He missed a sitter that was flagged for offside but may have been overturned by VAR, while another right-footed player narrowly missed the target after a dropped shoulder. Other than that, there was nothing to write home about as Manuel Akanji and company defended Argentina’s attack with ease.But it always helps when you have a magical talent up your sleeve. There’s a reason a bidding war is underway among Europe’s top clubs, led by FC Barcelona, for Alvarez, who is expected to join the Catalan giants after the World Cup, replacing outgoing Polish poacher Robert Lewandowski.The 26-year-old’s shot was of such pure quality, combining power and precision that Tronda roared through the evening air and into Kerber’s net. Although it was the superstar’s first goal of this World Cup, the goal will take its place in Argentinian folklore if Baisé’s side go on to make history next Sunday.But for now, standing in the way is England, a dynamic team that is showing the glory of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Jude Bellingham is their Paul Gascoigne-type figure who can command midfield and lock down open defences. Argentina won’t give an inch on Wednesday in Atalanta, and that’s a given. There is also the small matter of 40-year-old injury, and the English may well like to believe that revenge against Messi’s Argentina will finally bury the ghost of the “Hand of God” that has haunted them for generations.
