Angel Di Maria's goal in the 118th minute of the extra time made all the difference. It sent Switzerland home, and secured Argentina a place in the quarterfinals of the 2014 Brazil World Cup. But also, it was thanks to the once again spectacular Lionel Messi who made the cross and sent it to Di Maria, to an extended trip in the tournament.
"It was an even game in the first half, with just two or three chances, but I think we were by far the better side in the second half," said Argentinian coach, Alejandro Sabella.
"We deserved the win, but the ideal thing would have been to have got the job done in normal time. It goes without saying that winning is the most important thing and the only thing that really matters."
It is true, both teams have been playing a snooze fest of goalless two halves, and the game had to be extended for another 30 minutes to break the unimpressive tie.
"As a coach you have to do things to make winning easier - you have to look for the right approach, strategy and players. Apart from the odd lapse in concentration here and there, I think the team played well." However, the coach also said that he admits that Argentina shoul really improve on a large increment.
To everyone's expectation, it ws Lionel Messi again who carried Argentina into a higher level in the World Cup. Just when the fans thought that Argentina is not a one-man team by Messi, they were proven wrong. Sure it was Di Maria who executed the goal, but it was through Messi's efforts.
"The main thing is that we're through. We knew it wasn't going to be easy. Time was going by and we didn't want to go to penalties - we wanted to win the game. As for the goal, my first thought was to go for it myself, but then I saw Di Maria appear and I decided to play him in. Fortunately, he was able to put it away. That's football and today luck was on our side. We have to make the most of it and keep on going," the 27-year-old Argentian Messi said.
