Argentina Advances to World Cup Semifinals but Shows Limited Offensive Creativity

Argentina secured a 3-1 victory over Switzerland after extra time to reach the World Cup semifinals, but the match exposed ongoing concerns about their form despite being the defending champions. This was Argentina's third consecutive knockout game where they struggled to dominate, following tough wins against Cape Verde and Egypt. Switzerland suffered a major blow before kickoff with the absence of their young star Johan Menzambi, yet they remained organized and competitive on the field.

Coach Lionel Scaloni maintained a defensive 4-4-2 formation with four defensively oriented midfielders, including Leandro Paredes, who was one of the few standout performers. Argentina’s attack lacked width and creativity, relying heavily on Lionel Messi, who found it difficult to break free under Switzerland’s high pressing. Despite taking an early lead from a Messi corner headed in by Alexis Mac Allister, Argentina failed to control the game, and Switzerland equalized before extra time.

A pivotal moment came when Paredes was initially booked for a foul, but VAR review revealed Swiss player Ambolo had simulated the foul, resulting in Ambolo’s second yellow card and dismissal. This left Switzerland with ten men, allowing Argentina to gain control, though chances remained limited. The absence of Ángel Di María was felt as Argentina lacked a winger capable of creating depth or beating defenders one-on-one.

Julian Álvarez scored a stunning long-range goal in extra time, his first of the tournament, followed by Lautaro Martínez’s late goal to seal the win. Despite advancing, Argentina’s reliance on Messi and lack of attacking options remain concerns. They will face England in the semifinals, a team with a deeper and more versatile squad, making England the current favorite to reach the final.