Argentina don’t know simple and straightforward wins in the knockout stage of this World Cup.
The defending champions booked their spot in the semi-finals courtesy of Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez’s goals in extra time as they beat a ten-man Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals.
Alvarez curled a superb right-footed effort into the top corner in the 112th minute to spark utter delirium in Kansas City.
It was then Martinez’s turn to put the cherry on top, capping off a superb counter-attack in the 121st minute.
The win means Argentina will next face England for a spot in the World Cup final.
Alvarez’s goal was just rewards for Argentina, who huffed and puffed but struggled to break down Switzerland, who had largely shut up shop following Breel Embolo’s red card.
Embolo’s early exit came five minutes after the Swiss had cancelled out Alexis Mac Allister’s opener courtesy of Dan Ndoye.
Mac Allister netted in the tenth minute when he flicked on a corner whipped in by Lionel Messi past Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Messi creates more World Cup history
The goal marked Messi’s second assist at this year’s World Cup, with his first coming in Argentina’s thrilling come-from-behind win over Egypt in the round of 16.
But what made Messi’s assist for Mac Allister all the more special was the fact it was his tenth across the six World Cups he has competed in.
Messi bagged a single assist in 2006, 2010 and 2014 before contributing two in 2018.
The 39-year-old stepped it up a notch in 2022 with three en route to Argentina winning the World Cup.
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Messi’s ten World Cup assists is an unmatched figure, with fellow Argentinian icon Diego Maradona the next closest on eight.
Pierre Littbarski of West Germany and Poland’s Grzegorz Lato both assisted seven World Cup goals while there are eight players with six to their name.
Impressively, all of Messi’s ten assists have been for different players.
What other World Cup records has Lionel Messi broken?
Although Messi may be the World Cup’s assist king, he also reigns supreme for goals scored at the tournament having netted an absurd 21 times.
The record previously belonged to Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16 goals, but Messi and France’s Kylian Mbappe have both comfortably surged beyond that figure.
Messi officially broke the record in Argentina’s 2-0 win over Austria but added more to his haul in the knockout stages against Cape Verde and Egypt.
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He also boasts the most goal contributions in the World Cup knockout rounds, with his assist against Switzerland taking him to 15.
What’s next for Messi and Argentina?
But no slice of history for Messi would be as sweet as helping Argentina become the first nation to successfully defend their World Cup crown in 64 years.
Brazil was the last nation to have done so, winning in 1958 and then in 1962.
Standing in Argentina’s way of retaining their World Cup crown is England, who booked their spot in the final four with a gritty 2-1 win over Norway.
The semi-final will mark the first time the two nations have squared off in 21 years, with their last encounter being a friendly in 2005 that England won 3-2.
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