The last of the Fifa World Cup quarter final match ups comes from Kansas City in the early hours of Sunday morning where Argentina clash with Switzerland
Argentina
Argentina are sailing as close to the win as you can possibly get in the knockout rounds. They came from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16 in Atlanta on Tuesday with all of their goals coming from the 79th minute onwards. Egypt were a goal up in 15 minutes, Lionel Messi missed a first half penalty and Egypt had a goal disallowed by VAR before they made it 2-0 on 67 minutes. Cristian Romero pulled a goal back, Lionel Messi equalised on 83 minutes and Enzo Fernandez found the winner in the 92nd minute. Egypt were not happy with the match officials but Argentina stayed alive and Messi, who has now missed 2 spot kicks, finished the Ro16 as the tournament’s top scorer with 8 goals.
Argentina came up against Cape Verde in the Round of 32 in Miami, they were overwhelming favourites with the bookmakers but extra time was needed to settle the match with Argentina coming out on top 3-2. Lionel Messi gave Argentina a 1-0 lead in the first half but Cape Verde squared things up just before the hour mark and it stayed that way for the remainder of regulation time. Lisandro Martinez then put Argentina 2-1 in front but Cape Verde came back immediately to make it 2-2. An own goal then made it 3-2 to the South Americans and that’s the way it finished.
Argentina topped Group J with more than a degree of comfort. They won all 3 matches to finish 5 points clear of Austria and Algeria who also made it through whilst Jordan failed to pick up a point.
They were already assured of first place in the group ahead of their third match which came against Jordan in Dallas and they won the game 3-1 with Giovani lo Celso, Lautaro Martinez (penalty) and Messi the scorers.
In their second outing a 2-0 win over Austria came with 2 more goals from Lionel Messi and they came through their first task with a comfortable 3-0 win over Algeria in Kansas City with a Lionel Messi hat trick.
Switzerland
Switzerland came through their Round of 16 clash with Colombia in Vancouver with a penalty shoot out win. Clear chances were few and far between in regulation time and the extra 30 minutes and although Colomba came closest to scoring neither side could find a goal and Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel emerged as the hero.
In the Round of 32, also in Vancouver, the Swiss comfortably saw off Algeria with a 2-0 win with goals early in each half from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye.
The Swiss topped Group B with 7 points, Canada and Bosnia-Herzegovina were second and third respectively with 4 points and Qatar earned just the 1 point and were eliminated.
Switzerland’s final group match came against co-hosts Canada in Vancouver and they came out on top 2-1. Goals from Ruben Vargas and Johan Manzambi had Switzerland 2-0 up early in the second half. Canada did pull a goal back on 76 minutes but the Swiss held on.
Switzerland put Bosnia and Herzegovina away 4-1 in their second group outing in Los Angeles. All the goals came from the 74th minute onwards, substitute Johan Manzambi scored their first and third either side of a Ruben Vargas strike. Although B&H pulled a goal back a late penalty from Granit Xhaka rounded off the scoring.
Switzerland took Qatar in San Francisco in their first group match and after lading through a Breel Embolo penalty on 17 minutes they were pegged back in injury time and the game finished 1-1.
The Betting (Regulation time unless stated otherwise)
Argentina are priced at around 8/11 to win the game with the draw available at 5/2 and Switzerland can be backed at around 4/1
A game of 3 goals or more is priced at 6/5 and its 21/20 for both teams to score
The Verdict:
The drama seems to increase very time Argentina take to the field and they are very fortunate to have made it this far. Whether Switzerland can oust them is another matter, they are a solid and well drilled side but they hardly troubled the Colombian keeper in the previous round.
I’m having nothing more than a passing interest in this game. This is far as the Swiss have been for decades and I’ll take a speculative aim at their captain Granit Xhaka getting on the scoresheet.
Bets: Anytime goalscorer Granit Xhaka at 11.5/1 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are subject to change