Argentina Defeat Switzerland 1-0 in Extra Time Thanks to Lionel Messi and Angel di Maria (GIFs)

How did Messi and Argentina overcome a lack of creativity to beat Switzerland in the Round of 16?

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Complex Original

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For 117 minutes Argentina and Switzerland rarely looked like they were capable of finding the back of the net. Lionel Messi was marked by three defenders every time he touched the ball, and Switzerland's Xherdan Shaqiri was often isolated in his attempt to give Switzerland an attacking threat. Then, with one giveaway from Swiss full back Stephan Lichtsteiner, Lionel Messi went on the the attack, found an open Angel di Maria on the wing, and the Real Madrid man provided the finishing touch with his '118 minute winner shown above.

Just moments after Argentina took the lead, though, Switzerland came within inches of equalizing. Only the post could keep out Belrim Dzemaili's effort, who saw the rebound cannon back off of him and out of play:

After that, Argentina kissed Switzerland goodnight:

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