Egyptian PM to represent president Al-Sisi at World Economic Forum Meeting in Riyadh    Egypt pushes for inclusive dialogue on financing sustainable development at UN Forum    Tax-free car import initiative to end on Sunday: Minister of Emigration    President Al-Sisi receives heads of Arab parliaments, affirms support for Palestine    Negativity about vaccination on Twitter increases after COVID-19 vaccines become available    US student protests confuse White House, delay assault on Rafah    US economy slows to 1.6% in Q1 of '24 – BEA    EMX appoints Al-Jarawi as deputy chairman    Italy hits Amazon with a €10m fine over anti-competitive practices    Gold prices slightly up ahead of US data    Environment Ministry, Haretna Foundation sign protocol for sustainable development    After 200 days of war, our resolve stands unyielding, akin to might of mountains: Abu Ubaida    Swiss freeze on Russian assets dwindles to $6.36b in '23    World Bank pauses $150m funding for Tanzanian tourism project    Amir Karara reflects on 'Beit Al-Rifai' success, aspires for future collaborations    Ministers of Health, Education launch 'Partnership for Healthy Cities' initiative in schools    Amstone Egypt unveils groundbreaking "Hydra B5" Patrol Boat, bolstering domestic defence production    Climate change risks 70% of global workforce – ILO    Prime Minister Madbouly reviews cooperation with South Sudan    Ramses II statue head returns to Egypt after repatriation from Switzerland    Egypt retains top spot in CFA's MENA Research Challenge    Egyptian public, private sectors off on Apr 25 marking Sinai Liberation    EU pledges €3.5b for oceans, environment    Egypt forms supreme committee to revive historic Ahl Al-Bayt Trail    Debt swaps could unlock $100b for climate action    Acts of goodness: Transforming companies, people, communities    President Al-Sisi embarks on new term with pledge for prosperity, democratic evolution    Amal Al Ghad Magazine congratulates President Sisi on new office term    Egypt starts construction of groundwater drinking water stations in South Sudan    Egyptian, Japanese Judo communities celebrate new coach at Tokyo's Embassy in Cairo    Uppingham Cairo and Rafa Nadal Academy Unite to Elevate Sports Education in Egypt with the Introduction of the "Rafa Nadal Tennis Program"    Financial literacy becomes extremely important – EGX official    Euro area annual inflation up to 2.9% – Eurostat    BYD، Brazil's Sigma Lithium JV likely    UNESCO celebrates World Arabic Language Day    Motaz Azaiza mural in Manchester tribute to Palestinian journalists    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



RELIVE: Argentina v Switzerland, World Cup 2014
Ahram Online provided a live coverage of the 2014 World Cup last 16 match between Argentina and Switzerland
Published in Ahram Online on 01 - 07 - 2014

Full time: Argentina 1-0 Swizterland
It's over! the referee blows his final whistle as Argentina reach the World Cup last eight.
120+5 In Switzerland's last chance to equalise in a dramatic game, Shaqiri's free-kick strikes the defensive wall.
120+2 Benaglio goes upfront to support his teammates, Argentina steal possession and Di Maria tries to find an empty net from the halfway line. His effort narrowly misses the open net.
120+1 What a miss by Dzemaili! His free header at the far post strikes the post, a heartbreaking sight for Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld.
120' Di Maria's work rate is impressive. He is booked but he will be Argentina's hero in a hard-fought match against stubborn Switzerland.
118' Messi finally makes an impact to set up Di Maria for the crucial goal. He skips past his challenger and jinks towards the area, threading pass to the Real Madrid winger whose angled, low shot finds the bottom corner of the net.
118' GOAL FOR ARGENTINA!!
116' With just four minutes remaining, Argentina look resigned to playing a shootout.
113' Switzerland make their third and final substitution. Admir Mehmedi is replaced with Blerim Dzemaili.
111' Argentina totally dominate possession.
109' Di Maria goes close for Argentina! His piledriver from the edge of the area is superbly blocked by Benaglo from under his crossbar.
107' Two round of 16 matches were settled by penalty shootout. Brazil defeated Chile and Costa Rico beat Greece.
The second half of extra time is underway
The first half of extra time ends
105' An Argentinean counter attack is thwarted by the Swiss defence.
105' Argentina make their second substitution. Defender Marcos Rojo is replaced with Jose Maria Basanta.
104' Switzerland's Mehmedi and Shaqiri are showboating, wasting time via some skilful moves.
101' Both sides are subdued now. Even the fans who were enthusiastic at the beginning are now almost silent.
98' Messi remains well shackled by the Swiss defence. He managed to escape their attention on a few occasions.
95' Both sides are hindered by many mis-placed passes, especially in midfield as Argentina and Switzerland give away possession far too easily.
93' Argentina continue from where the left off in the second half, piling on pressure upfront but struggling to create clear-cut chances.
The first half of extra time is underway
The referee blows his whistle, we are going to extra time
90' The referee adds three minutes of stoppage time.
89' Argentina's Marcos Rojo is booked for a foul on Rodriguez. He will miss the quarter-final if Argentina qualify.
89' Messi weaves his magic! He bamboozles three defenders on his way to the penalty area before finding Palacio, who fails to control the ball as the defence clears.
87' The extra time is looming.
84' Argentina lay siege to the Swiss area but their genuine chances are few.
82' Switzerland make another substitution. The ineffective Drmic is replaced with Haris Seferovic.
81' Argentina pour forward en masse in a bid to score a decisive winner.
78' A clear-cut chance for Argentina! Messi skips past his challengers in the area and sends a low shot that is blocked by the in-form Benaglio.
##
76' Fernando Gago's long-range drive goes high over.
75' With 15 minutes remaining, the possibility of an extra time looks big.
75' Palacio almost makes an immediate impact! He is found unmarked by a Messi cross but his header goes poorly wide.
74' Argentina make their first substitution. Lavezzi is replaced with Rodrigo Palacio.
73' Switzerland substitute Fernandes is booked for a challenge on Di Maria.
70' Switzerland only rely on Drmic on their counter-attacking efforts. They defend in numbers to thwart Argentina's potent attack.
67' A powerful Messi volley goes just high over the bar!! Argentina look close to opening the scoring.
66' Switzerland make their first substitution. Gelson Fernandes replaces Granit Xhaka.
65' Argentina lay siege to the Swiss area, with some combinations between Messi, Di Maria and Lavezzi unsettling the Swiss backline.
62' A goal-scoring chance for Argentina! Higuain's diving header from a left-wing cross is tipped over by Benaglio.
61' Argentina improve in terms of attacking attempts. It remains to be seen whether the Swiss defence will continue to hold firm.
60' Angel Di Maria darts down the right but his subsequent cross goes out. Argentina pile on pressure.
59' It's Benaglio again! He blocks a cross-cum-shot from Rojo after a move initiated by Messi.
##
57' This time there is a more accurate cross from Rojo but the impressive Benaglio palms it away.
56' Argentina whip in many crosses which either go begging or only find the Swiss defenders.
54' A poor cross from Javier Mascherano goes out. Argentina are still struggling in the final third.
52' At the other end, a low shot from Angel Di Maria is blocked by the Swiss defence, which is restricting their illustrious opponents to some tame efforts.
51' Drmic blasts his shot high over following a pull-back from Shaqiri. Switzerland look lively in the second half.
50' A curling free-kick from Switzerland's Shaqiri is saved by Romero.
50' A Messi free-kick is palmed away by Switzerland keeper Benaglio.
49' Messi repeatedly drifts to midfield to pick up the ball, with Argentina's central midfielders unable to feed the attack.
47' Argentina will need to improve on their inefficient first-half display if they are to reach the last eight.
The second half is underway
The referee blows his half-time whistle
44' Rojo's low cross from the left is cleared by the defence after he is fed by Lavezzi. Argentina are still struggling to find a way through the steadfast defence.
41' Di Maria's curling effort from inside the area is easily collected by Benaglio following a neat Argentinean move.
40' This was the best first-half chance. Argentina could be easily hit on the break.
39' What a chance for Switzerland! Josip Drmic is guilty of spurning a golden opportunity. A defensive laps allows him to break clear but his poor attempt to lob the keeper ends in the safe hands of Romero.
36' Switzerland's Ganit Xhaka receives a yellow card for a crude challenge on Lavezzi.
35' Argentina keeper Romero palms away the ensuing cross.
34' Shaqiri is fouled by Fernando Gago after bamboozling a couple of defenders on the right flank.
31' Both sides wasted a goal-scoring chance each in the second quarter of an hour as the game gets more interesting.
30' Defender Garay goes close for Argentina! His slight header from a cross misses the target with the goal at his mercy.
29' At the other end, a close-range half-volley from Lavezzi is saved by Benaglio.
28' Argentina keeper Sergio Romero denies a golden opportunity for Switzerland! Xhaka is picked out unmarked inside his area but his low shot is blocked by the guardian.
27' A Swiss corner is cleared by the Argentina defence. The game's tempo remains very slow.
25' Messi's ensuing free-kick is headed wide by Higuain.
25' Argentina are awarded a free-kick after Mehmedi fouled Angel Di Maria.
24' Messi's threaded pass to Higuain is intercepted by the dogged Swiss backline.
22' Too many fouls are committed by both sides in a dull affair.
20' Messi tries to weave his way past two challengers on the right but he is eventually robbed. The four-time World Player of the Year is still subdued.
18' Switzerland's backline was barely troubled by the Argentina attack during the first quarter of an hour.
15' Switzerland keeper Diego Benaglio handles a tame cross from full-back Pablo Zabaleta as Argentina struggle to mount serious threats.
14' A Lionel Messi cross is handled by the keeper.
12' Shaqiri is at the heart of Switzerland's attacking attempts. Can they spring a surprise today?
11' Swizerland's backline looks solid in the early stages.
9' Switzerland's Gokhan Inler tries his luck from distance but his shot goes high over. It remains a cautious affair though, with some tame attempts at both ends.
8' A neat combination between Xherdan Shaqiri and Mehmedi releases the latter down the left but his low cross is cleared by the Argentina defence.
6' An Argentina free-kick is floated into the area but the Swiss defence clears.
4' Argentina are roared on by a passionate crowd at the Arena de Sao Paulo.
2' Argentina will be eyeing an early goal. Their natural attacking intent is clear from the very beginning.
The match is underway
17:50 Both sides step onto the pitch for the customary pre-match national anthems.
17:45Switzerland officials say the older brother of coach Ottmar Hitzfeld has died on the eve of the team's second-round match against Argentina. Read full story here
17:30 Switzerland are expected to adopt a cautious strategy to contain the powerful Argentina attack.
17:20 As expected, Lavezzi replaces the injured Aguero in Argentina's starting line-up to form a three-pronged attack with Messi and Higuain.
17:10 Switzerland's starting line-up: Diego Benaglio, Johan Djourou, Stephan Lichtsteiner, Gokhan Inler, Granit Xhaka, Valon Behrami, Ricardo Rodriguez, Admir Mehmedi, Josip Drmic, Fabian Schar, Xherdan Shaqir.
16:55 Argentina's starting line-up: Sergio Romero, Ezequiel Garay, Federico Fernandez, Pablo Zabaleta, Marcos Rojo, Javier Mascherano, Fernando Gago, Angel Di Maria, Gonzalo Higuain, Lionel Messi, Ezequiel Lavezzi.
16:30 Four-times World Player of the Year Lionel Messi is hopeing he can lead Argentina to World Cup glory to etc his name among the football all-time greats, including fellow countryman Diego Maradona who steered Argentina to their last title in 1986.
16:00''Switzerland works very well on the flanks and attacks down the wings,'' Gugnali said. ''It's going to be a very intense match.''
15:40Argentina is also wary of Switzerland's attack and will have to shore up its shaky defense to deal with threats that include winger Xherdan Shaqiri, who scored a hat trick against Honduras in the final Group E match.
15:20Lavezzi usually attacks down the wings, but also drops back to work in partnership with Argentina's midfielders. The team will have to adapt its tactical formation a bit if Lavezzi starts.
15:00 ''He's a very powerful player and is in a great moment,'' Gugnali said. ''He finished his club season very well. He has been asking to be on the pitch since he came (to Brazil). I don't have any doubts that he will know how to take advantage of his opportunities.''
14:40With Sergio Aguero missing Tuesday's match because of a left thigh injury, the Group F winners are looking to Ezequiel Lavezzi to step in - a challenge that assistant coach Claudio Gugnali said the Paris Saint-Germain forward is ready for.
14:20Messi carried Argentina through the group stage, scoring four of its goals. The other two came from an own goal and left back Marcos Rojo.
14:00 Having relied on Lionel Messi for most of its goals so far at this World Cup, Argentina is planning to find new ways of scoring in its second-round match against Switzerland on Tuesday
Stay tuned as match is due to start at 16:00 GMT
Venue:Arena Corinthians (Sao Paulo)
Officials:
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)
Assistants: Mathias Klasenius, Daniel Wärnmark
Fourth official: Svein Oddvar Moen (Norway)
(For more sports newsandupdates,followAhramOnlineSportson Twitter at@AO_Sportsand onFacebook atAhramOnlineSports.)
http://english.ahram.org.eg/News/105194.aspx


Clic here to read the story from its source.