Soccer
Argentina vs. Switzerland player ratings: Who made the best impression as Albiceleste advance?
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Argentina needed extra time to see off ten-man Switzerland in a World Cup quarter-final that hinged on one moment of self-destruction.
Breel Embolo's red card for simulation three minutes after Dan Ndoye's equaliser transformed the contest, yet the defending champions still required Julián Álvarez's spectacular 112th-minute strike to finally break Swiss resistance.
Lautaro Martínez added a third from the rebound in the final seconds as Argentina advanced to face England in the semi-final.
DAZN News rates each set of players and our player of the match:
Argentina vs. Switzerland Player of the Match
Lionel Messi (Argentina)
Messi was Argentina's creative heartbeat across all 120-plus minutes, constantly seeking the ball in dangerous positions and pulling Swiss defenders out of shape.
His precise left-footed corner delivered the opening goal for Mac Allister, and he remained the focal point of every meaningful Argentine attack.
He completed multiple dribbles, curled a shot narrowly wide after beating Xhaka, and forced saves from Kobel in both regulation and extra time.
With 99 actions and four shots, he was the undisputed reference point for everything Argentina created.
Argentina vs. Switzerland Player Ratings
Argentina
Emiliano Martínez (7.2): Made key saves including a brilliant stop to deny Ndoye's header.
Nahuel Molina (6.6): Provided width with overlapping runs but final-ball quality was inconsistent.
Cristian Romero (6.8): Anchored the defence with aerial duels and aggressive challenges throughout.
Lisandro Martínez (7.8): Outstanding across 120-plus minutes with crucial blocks and composed carrying.
Nicolás Tagliafico (6.4): Solid in possession and defensively before tactical switch at 78 minutes.
Leandro Paredes (6.8): Dictated tempo and delivered the long pass releasing Messi for an offside chance.
Rodrigo De Paul (6.5): Worked industrially but influence faded as match progressed.
Alexis Mac Allister (7.5): Headed in Messi's corner for 1-0 but missed a sitter late on.
Enzo Fernández (6.5): Tidy in possession though lacked a decisive moment before substitution.
Lionel Messi (8.5): Argentina's creative fulcrum with the corner assist and constant threat.
Julián Álvarez (7.9): Tireless movement rewarded with a spectacular curling winner in extra time.
Nico González (6.5): Added attacking thrust from the left but lacked a defining moment.
Lautaro Martínez (7.2): Predatory instinct to pounce on Kobel's save and seal victory at 120+1'.
Gonzalo Montiel (6.3): Provided solid defensive cover and composure through extra time.
Thiago Almada (7.0): Direct running troubled Switzerland; shot grazed post before creating rebound assist.
Nicolás Otamendi (6.2): Experienced presence to shore up defence in closing stages.
José Manuel López (6.8): Brief but decisive; assisted Álvarez's winner two minutes after entering.
Switzerland
Gregor Kobel (6.7): Exceptional saves kept Switzerland alive but beaten by quality for all three goals.
Denis Zakaria (6.4): Crucial block on Álvarez and disciplined positionally until replaced.
Nico Elvedi (6.6): Won aerial duels and maintained concentration through demanding extra time.
Manuel Akanji (6.7): Physical presence in defence though beaten for Mac Allister's opening header.
Ricardo Rodríguez (7.0): Provided the assist for Ndoye's equaliser with a precise pass.
Granit Xhaka (8.0): Captained superbly with crucial blocks on Messi and Lautaro Martínez in extra time.
Remo Freuler (6.9): Tireless industry alongside Xhaka through regulation and most of extra time.
Djibril Sow (6.2): Energy in transitions but lacked a decisive final-third contribution.
Fabian Rieder (6.3): Willing to cut inside and shoot but struggled to create clear openings.
Dan Ndoye (7.4): Clinical equaliser from tight angle and caused problems with direct running.
Breel Embolo (4.5): Red card for simulation after earlier booking devastated Swiss hopes.
Silvan Widmer (6.2): Blocked Nico González's shot and showed discipline defending with ten men.
Zeki Amdouni (6.0): Worked hard as lone forward but lacked support to convert chances.
Miro Muheim (5.9): Fulfilled defensive duties without major errors in difficult circumstances.
Eray Cömert (5.8): Made clearances and blocks as Switzerland reinforced for extra time.
Ardon Jashari (5.9): Provided energy in midfield but shot over and couldn't stem Argentina's pressure.
Rubén Vargas (5.6): Minimal involvement in closing stages as Argentina controlled possession.
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