{"id":1467989,"date":"2026-07-12T05:46:40","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T04:46:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/?post_type=features&#038;p=1467989"},"modified":"2026-07-12T05:46:41","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T04:46:41","slug":"post-match-analysis-argentina-vs-switzerland-12-07-26","status":"publish","type":"features","link":"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/features\/post-match-analysis-argentina-vs-switzerland-12-07-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Argentina vs Switzerland stats and analysis: Tactical takeaways as Albiceleste leave it late yet again"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/argentina\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Argentina<\/a> needed extra time for the second time in three knockout stage games to beat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/stats\/clubs\/switzerland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Switzerland<\/a> and advance to the semi finals<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was yet another dramatic finish for the Albiceleste, who eventually scored two late goals to beat the Nati 3-1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-x wp-block-embed-x\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"500\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Argentina have reached the World Cup semi-final for the third time in their last four tournaments.<br><br>\u25c9 2014: \ud83e\udd48<br>\u25ce 2018: L16\u00a0<br>\u25c9 2022: \ud83c\udfc6<br>\u25c9 2026: \ud83c\udd95<br><br>It\u2019s the first time they reached back-to-back World Cup semis since 1990. \ud83d\udc4f <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/TunntxH99T\">pic.twitter.com\/TunntxH99T<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Squawka (@Squawka) <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/Squawka\/status\/2076154174341808600?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">July 12, 2026<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.x.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>But the turning point of the whole game was Breel Embolo&#8217;s sending off, just moments after Switzerland equalised. They had all the momentum to their favour and arguably their best player threw it away in one dive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Argentina needed a screamer and a counter attack while playing against ten men to win. And the most interesting tactical moments revolved around Switzerland dominating and finding their way back into the match. But the South Americans do deserve credit for going 1-0 up early.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>How did Argentina vs Switzerland unfold?<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-argentina-s-underrated-set-pieces\" data-level=\"3\">Argentina&#8217;s underrated set pieces<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-switzerland-take-control\" data-level=\"3\">Switzerland take control<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-scaloni-adapting\" data-level=\"3\">Scaloni adapting<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-argentina-s-underrated-set-pieces\">Argentina&#8217;s underrated set pieces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Despite not creating any of their goals with intricate passing sequences or one-touch combinations, Argentina didn&#8217;t get an early lead by chance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Albiceleste are well positioned in many different rankings regarding corner-kick situations in the 2026 World Cup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats-819x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1467990\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats-819x1024.jpg 819w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats-240x300.jpg 240w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats-768x960.jpg 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats-1229x1536.jpg 1229w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats-214x267.jpg 214w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats-160x200.jpg 160w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats-48x60.jpg 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats-120x150.jpg 120w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats-59x74.jpg 59w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050233\/team_-pitch-5-stats.jpg 1620w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>They had already saved the current world champions against Cape Verde in extra time. So it was no surprise to see them pop up again as an alternate attacking strategy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not just that, but their opening goal simply recreated the same corner they had just taken seconds before.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Near-post delivery from Lionel Messi to Alexis Mac Allister heading it across to the far corner. Embolo managed to deflect the first attempt, which led a second corner in a row, that led to the goal. And this type of cross was a pattern throughout the whole game.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"663\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-663x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1467991\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-663x1024.png 663w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-194x300.png 194w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-768x1186.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-995x1536.png 995w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-1326x2048.png 1326w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-173x267.png 173w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-130x200.png 130w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-39x60.png 39w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-97x150.png 97w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-48x74.png 48w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12050814\/pass_map_Messi_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC.png 1360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 663px) 100vw, 663px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Lionel Messi&#8217;s corner kicks map vs Switzerland<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Argentina struggled against Switzerland, but there was nothing random about them scoring from a corner. It was pure rehearsed movements that have already gotten them a lot of chances this tournament.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-switzerland-take-control\">Switzerland take control<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Switzerland found themselves behind for the first time in quite a while when Mac Allister scored. They hadn&#8217;t trailed in the World Cup until that moment &#8211; or even in the qualifiers, as a matter of fact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it made them dominate possession until half-time, which not only matches Murat Yakin&#8217;s preferred style but is also a scenario that leaves Lionel Scaloni&#8217;s men utterly uncomfortable.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2><strong>Bet \u00a310 &amp; Get \u00a330 in Free Bets with Bet365<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n<p>Not signed up to bet365 yet? Here's how to claim one of the best bookmaker welcome offers around...\u00a0<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Open an account (<a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">here's a link<\/a>)<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Make a qualifying deposit of between \u00a35* and \u00a310*<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Claim the offer to receive three times your deposit in 'Free Bets'.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>To release your 'Free Bets', place qualifying bets to the value of your qualifying deposit and allow those bets to settle.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Your 'Free Bets' will become available shortly after your qualifying bets have settled<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<li><strong>To use your 'Free Bets', select 'Use bet credits' in the bet slip.<\/strong><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/bet365?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-1422493 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-1024x446.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"446\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-1024x446.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-300x131.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-768x335.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-400x174.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-459x200.png 459w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-138x60.png 138w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-150x65.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141-40x17.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2022\/04\/06113042\/image-141.png 1537w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p><em>Min deposit requirement. Free Bets are paid as Bet Credits and are available for use upon settlement of qualifying bets. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&amp;Cs apply.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<p>The Nati had a very effective formula for keeping the ball. They stepped up with their lines, pressed high up the pitch and forcede the Albiceleste to go long, something they try to avoid at almost all costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A total of 7.4% of Argentina&#8217;s passes against Switzerland were long &#8211; their highest percentage in a World Cup game this summer. Dibu Martinez had no real target for his long passes, so the Europeans quickly recovered possession and restarted again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, it took them 67 minutes to get it going up front. Before that, in the few dangerous moments they had, players were struggling with the end product. Poor shot attempts, crosses, final passes, you name it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It was also interesting (and confusing) how much focus Yakin was placing on the right-hand side early on.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051911\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1024x791.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1467992\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051911\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1024x791.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051911\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-300x232.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051911\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-768x593.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051911\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-346x267.png 346w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051911\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-259x200.png 259w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051911\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-78x60.png 78w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051911\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-150x116.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051911\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-96x74.png 96w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051911\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC.png 1360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Switzerland&#8217;s flank attack map in the first 30 minutes against Argentina<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>And it was nothing new, considering they had already forced things with defensive-midfielder-turned-right-back Denis Zakaria overlapping down the flank. Tonight, he was joined by another defensive midfielder in Djibril Sow. Unsurprisingly, nothing special came out of that combination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But the Swiss manager eventually came around and instructed his players to play more down the left. It&#8217;s also unsurprising that they managed to score the equaliser thanks to the other full-back-winger duo, Ricardo Rodriguez and Dan Ndoye.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051949\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1-1024x791.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1467993\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051949\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1-1024x791.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051949\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1-300x232.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051949\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1-768x593.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051949\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1-346x267.png 346w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051949\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1-259x200.png 259w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051949\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1-78x60.png 78w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051949\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1-150x116.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051949\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1-96x74.png 96w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12051949\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Switzerland_26_FWC-1.png 1360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Switzerland&#8217;s flank attack map for the whole game against Switzerland<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>There were also interesting moments when Switzerland gave Argentina a taste of their own medicine. Scaloni went from a 4-3-1-2 to a flat 4-4-2 out of possession after scoring. He also made his players work in a more man-oriented approach while also keeping a mostly zonal structure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sow left the right flank and tucked inside one or two times, overloading the middle while Granit Xhaka and Fabian Rieder occupied Leandro Paredes and Mac Allister, respectively. The Sevilla midfielder attempted a shot out of this action but they didn&#8217;t do it again for the rest of the game.<\/p>\n\n\n<hr \/>\r\n<h2><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/go\/sky-bet?q=gb-all-soa-bs4-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Sky Bet Offer<\/a>: Get \u00a340 in free bets when you place any bet<\/h2>\r\n<p>Looking for some free bets to boost your betting fund? Sky Bet are offering customers the chance to get \u00a340 in free bets when they sign up and place any qualifying bet.<\/p>\r\n<p><a href=\"\/en\/go\/sky-bet?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter size-large wp-image-1422496\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-1024x290.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-1024x290.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-300x85.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-768x218.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-1536x435.png 1536w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-400x113.png 400w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-600x170.png 600w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-212x60.png 212w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-150x43.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143-40x11.png 40w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2023\/11\/06113653\/image-143.png 2036w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<ol>\r\n<li><a href=\"\/en\/go\/sky-bet?q=gb-all-con-wof-s-spo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Sign up at Sky Bet<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0using this link<\/li>\r\n<li>Place a qualifying bet of at least 5p on a single or each way bet at odds of 1\/1 or greater, as your first bet<\/li>\r\n<li>Claim your \u00a340 free bet bonus<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n<h5 class=\"bookmaker-row exclusive\" style=\"text-align: center;\" data-filter=\"  all-bookmakers free-bets in-play new-bookmaker world-cup-offers\">18+ NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE &amp; E\/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1\/1 OR GREATER. 4 X \u00a310 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. FREE BETS EXPIRE AFTER 30 DAYS. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&amp;CS APPLY.<\/h5>\r\n<hr \/>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-scaloni-adapting\">Scaloni adapting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It lasted no longer than 20 minutes, so it&#8217;s hard to know whether it will show up again or not. But Argentina showed an interesting variable to their in-possession approach while ahead in the second half.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lionel Scaloni famously likes to overload the centre of the pitch with high-quality players capable of playing in tight spaces. They have a number of technical midfielders and forwards who thrive off central combinations and constant movements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But attacking down the middle in tight spaces also reduces the amount of ground the opponent has to cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Albiceleste ranks first among all teams in the 2026 World Cup in percentage of touches in the central corridor (33%). But they gave up on it almost entirely for the first 20 minutes of the second half. Argentina started using the whole width of the pitch to move the ball around and make Switzerland work.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"791\" src=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12053448\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-0Algeria_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-1024x791.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1467994\" srcset=\"https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12053448\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-0Algeria_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-1024x791.png 1024w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12053448\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-0Algeria_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-300x232.png 300w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12053448\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-0Algeria_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-768x593.png 768w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12053448\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-0Algeria_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-346x267.png 346w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12053448\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-0Algeria_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-259x200.png 259w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12053448\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-0Algeria_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-78x60.png 78w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12053448\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-0Algeria_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-150x116.png 150w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12053448\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-0Algeria_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC-96x74.png 96w, https:\/\/media.squawka.com\/images\/2026\/07\/12053448\/flank_attacks_Argentina3-0Algeria_Argentina3-1Switzerland_Argentina_26_FWC.png 1360w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Argentina&#8217;s flank attack map in the first 20 minutes of the second half vs Switzerland<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Scaloni often uses the wings more in second halves to exploit space and accelerate plays down the flanks. Nico Gonzalez is usually the first substitute to enter the games and holds width down the left. Tonight, the 48-year-old manager used wide play for a different reason.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In the end, the whole game changed when Embolo&#8217;s silly red card took the momentum Switzerland had and placed it back to Argentina&#8217;s favour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But it&#8217;s still one more extra time the current champions had to go through and they already looked gassed in the second half. Luckily for them, England have had their fair share of dramatic endings and physical struggles. Who knows what that semi final is going to look like.<\/p>\n\n\n<h3><strong>Read more:<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/bet\/football-tips\/world-cup-2026-betting-tips-predictions\/\"><strong>World Cup predictions &amp; tips<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/outright-markets\/world-cup-outright-odds\/\"><strong>World Cup outright odds <\/strong><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/news\/world-cup-2026-fixtures-results\/\"><b>World Cup fixtures &amp; results<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.squawka.com\/en\/world-cup-2026-betting-offers\/\"><b>World Cup free bets<\/b><\/a><\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Argentina needed extra time for the second time in three knockout stage games to beat Switzerland and advance to the semi finals. It was yet another dramatic finish for the Albiceleste, who eventually scored two late goals to beat the Nati 3-1. But the turning point of the whole game was Breel Embolo&#8217;s sending off,&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3354,"featured_media":1467995,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_yoast_wpseo_focuskw":"Argentina Switzerland","_yoast_wpseo_title":"","_yoast_wpseo_metadesc":"Argentina needed extra time for the second time in three knockout stage games to beat Switzerland. 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