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World Cup Round of 16: Your Running Commentary

LionelMessiArgentina1-Iran2014 (Getty)

By RYAN TOLMICH

After making it through the group stage unscathed despite three one-goal victories, Argentina faces its toughest test thus far in Tuesday’s penultimate Round of 16 matchup.

La Albiceleste are now tasked with taking on fellow seeded side Switzerland with a spot in the tournament’s quarterfinal stage on the line.

Argentina enters the knockout stages largely due to the contributions of Lionel Messi, who finished tied for the lead in group stage goals with four. However, La Albiceleste will need to put together a more complete performance than those displayed in the group stage if they hope to make their third straight appearance in the quarterfinal round.

Their opposition, Switzerland, is making its second knockout stage appearance in the past three tournaments and the sixth in team history. After suffering through a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of eventual group winners France, the Swiss rebounded by way of a Xherdan Shaqiri hat trick in a 3-0 victory over Honduras that secured the team’s advancement.

If you will be watching today’s matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.

Enjoy the action.

Comments

  1. Via ESPN Twitter: Howard, Gonz, Bradley, Besler, Beasley, Dempsey, Bedoya, Jones, Zusi, Cameron, Johnson

    Beckerman dropped for Cameron. Weird. Seems like we are playing for PK´s…

    Reply
    • Missed opportunities… the Argentines took shot after shot, most of them low-percentage, with lots of attempts at in-the-box passes, which the Swiss cleared well. The Swiss had at least 3 excellent looks at goal, and blew them all. And the Swiss never got their counter on, usually losing the ball before passing midfield. If they converted on the few (but good) chances, we would’ve had a different game.

      Reply
    • I think when he first started playing, he used to be a massive diver. I think?

      He hasn’t been for a while though. At least, I can’t remember any recently.

      Reply
      • That’s what I remember remembering. But my memory of my memory may be wrong.

        I blame Di Maria.

  2. Anyone else expecting a goal explosion for the USA v Belgium game? Every other game has been the same, the force is telling me our game will be different.

    Reply
      • Like I said before the Portugal game… it would be a mistake not to push the game. Belgium missing defenders, I also think they will be the more nervous team.

      • This is why I think we should give Jozy the start. The couple of seconds his hold up play provides the mid-fielders to get forward help us immensely. Against Germany Clint only had 29 touches, lowest number ever.

        Even if we have to take him off after 15 min, one burnt sub is worth the risk, imho.

  3. I was thinking Refs, should really dislike floppy teams-players because it makes the game far more difficult to officiate, and in the end it makes the ref look bad when foolish calls are made.

    OK, time to buckle up now.
    Come on lets go Garrinchas, U.S.A.!

    Reply
  4. never before. why is it that world class strikers such as Cavani or Higuain/Aguero

    seem ineffective when playing aside a fellow world class striker for their NT like Suarez/Messi?

    Reply
    • They certainly aren’t amazing. The Swiss are having to have a high work rate to keep out the Argentine strikers but they keep doing gentle lobs into the keepers hands.

      Reply

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