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Argentina needed a late winner again on Saturday night. And Julián Álvarez provided a golazo.
Álvarez's incredible strike from outside the penalty box in the 112th minute put Argentina up a goal in its 3-1 extra-time win over 10-man Switzerland. It was Argentina's second extra-time win in three knockout-round games in this World Cup and the defending World Cup champions will face England in the semifinals on Wednesday.
Just watch the goal seemingly come from out of nowhere to beat Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel at the far post.
Álvarez's goal came after Argentina spent the final 20-plus minutes of the second half and all of extra time with a man advantage after Breel Embolo's controversial red card for simulation. But Switzerland's defense had been absolute fantastic and denied Argentina time and time again when it had tried to work the ball inside the penalty area.
Of course, a 10-man defense in a low block can only stretch so far. You can tell that hardly anyone expected Alvarez to let loose from that position.
Once Alvarez scored, Switzerland had to abandon its hopes of defending hard for penalty kicks and search for the tying goal. That immediately it open on the counter, and Lautaro Martinez turned it into an Argentinian celebration to make it 3-1 in the 121st minute.
The party was also a big sigh of relief. Just look at Martinez and Lionel Messi after the goal.
Switzerland's striker appeared to get fouled by Argentina's Leando Paredes near the sideline as he hit the ground and rolled. There was no hesitation from referee João Pinheiro to give Paredes a yellow card, perhaps because Embolo had been carded earlier in the half for a clattering challenge on Paredes.
That earlier yellow card immediately came into play. As did the card that Pinheiro wrongly issued to Paredes. Since Paredes was booked, VAR was allowed to take a look at the foul in case Embolo took a dive. And, sure enough, replays showed that he started to go to ground without any contact.
After Pinheiro went to the replay monitor at the side of the field, he gave Embolo a second yellow card for a dive and Switzerland was down to 10 men.
It was a similar situation to what transpired in the United States' first game of the World Cup. Tim Ream was given a yellow card for a challenge on Miguel Almirón. But replays showed that Almirón dove and he was issued an automatic yellow card.
In both cases, the referees' initial cards led to the cards for diving. Had Pinheiro not immediately carded Paredes, VAR wouldn't have been allowed to review Embolo's dive. Switzerland would have simply (and wrongly) received a free kick and the game would have continued with Embolo off the field.
The red card changed the complexion of the game, too. Switzerland's equalizer came just five minutes before Embolo was sent off when Dan Ndoye headed the ball past Argentina goalie Emi Martinez.
It was a deserved goal. Switzerland found its footing in attack after halftime and had been putting consistent pressure on Argentina's defense after a stagnant first half.
Continue reading...
Álvarez's incredible strike from outside the penalty box in the 112th minute put Argentina up a goal in its 3-1 extra-time win over 10-man Switzerland. It was Argentina's second extra-time win in three knockout-round games in this World Cup and the defending World Cup champions will face England in the semifinals on Wednesday.
Just watch the goal seemingly come from out of nowhere to beat Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel at the far post.
Álvarez's goal came after Argentina spent the final 20-plus minutes of the second half and all of extra time with a man advantage after Breel Embolo's controversial red card for simulation. But Switzerland's defense had been absolute fantastic and denied Argentina time and time again when it had tried to work the ball inside the penalty area.
Of course, a 10-man defense in a low block can only stretch so far. You can tell that hardly anyone expected Alvarez to let loose from that position.
Once Alvarez scored, Switzerland had to abandon its hopes of defending hard for penalty kicks and search for the tying goal. That immediately it open on the counter, and Lautaro Martinez turned it into an Argentinian celebration to make it 3-1 in the 121st minute.
The party was also a big sigh of relief. Just look at Martinez and Lionel Messi after the goal.
Why Embolo got sent off for diving
Switzerland's striker appeared to get fouled by Argentina's Leando Paredes near the sideline as he hit the ground and rolled. There was no hesitation from referee João Pinheiro to give Paredes a yellow card, perhaps because Embolo had been carded earlier in the half for a clattering challenge on Paredes.
That earlier yellow card immediately came into play. As did the card that Pinheiro wrongly issued to Paredes. Since Paredes was booked, VAR was allowed to take a look at the foul in case Embolo took a dive. And, sure enough, replays showed that he started to go to ground without any contact.
After Pinheiro went to the replay monitor at the side of the field, he gave Embolo a second yellow card for a dive and Switzerland was down to 10 men.
It was a similar situation to what transpired in the United States' first game of the World Cup. Tim Ream was given a yellow card for a challenge on Miguel Almirón. But replays showed that Almirón dove and he was issued an automatic yellow card.
In both cases, the referees' initial cards led to the cards for diving. Had Pinheiro not immediately carded Paredes, VAR wouldn't have been allowed to review Embolo's dive. Switzerland would have simply (and wrongly) received a free kick and the game would have continued with Embolo off the field.
The red card changed the complexion of the game, too. Switzerland's equalizer came just five minutes before Embolo was sent off when Dan Ndoye headed the ball past Argentina goalie Emi Martinez.
It was a deserved goal. Switzerland found its footing in attack after halftime and had been putting consistent pressure on Argentina's defense after a stagnant first half.
Continue reading...
