Star player Lionel Messi said he feared Argentina would be knocked out of the World Cup before he set up Angel Di Maria's late extra-time winner against Switzerland.
Di Maria fired in Messi's pass to clinch a 1-0 win, ending stubborn Swiss resistance and setting up a quarter-final tie against Belgium.
"I was nervous towards the end because we couldn't score and any mistake could have knocked us out," said Messi, 27.
"The minutes were passing and we didn't want the match to go to penalties."
Two-time champions Argentina dominated possession in Wednesday's last-16 tie against the Swiss, but were unable to break through until Di Maria converted in the 118th-minute.
"We were suffering but had a special play. I passed to Angel and now we can celebrate," added Argentina captain Messi, Barcelona's four-time World Player of the Year.
Switzerland defender Blerim Dzemaili headed against the Argentina post then prodded wide after Di Maria's strike.
But Real Madrid winger Di Maria said the victory in Sao Paulo was "more than deserved" by the South Americans.
"It wasn't me, the heroes are 23 players and the technical staff. We gave our lives, our souls," the 26-year-old added.
Argentina attempted 29 shots at the Swiss goal over the 120 minutes, while the European side did not manage an effort on target after the 50th minute.
But Ottmar Hitzfeld's side created the best chances of the first half.
Argentina keeper Sergio Romero saved in quick succession from Granit Xhaka and Stephan Lichtsteiner, before denying Josip Drmic shortly after.
"It was a game that we deserved to win in 90 minutes," said Argentina coach Alejandro Sabella.
"It was even during a first half in which they had two clear chances to score but in the second half we were clearly superior .We had five or six shots at goal and, in extra-time, we also had more chances."
Defeat marked the end of Switzerland coach Hitzfeld's 31-year managerial career, with the 65-year-old German having already announced that he would retire after the tournament.
The two-time World Coach of the Year won 19 major club trophies for Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund and Grasshoppers, before taking charge of the Swiss national team in 2008.
"I have a quiet life in front of me," he said. "My job as a coach has finished here. I am proud of my career. I was very fortunate to coach some marvellous clubs and the Swiss national team.
"It has been a great honour and I am proud to say goodbye to the Swiss team with my heart full of emotions."
No comments:
Post a Comment