Argentina vs. Switzerland: VAR controversy and Julián Álvarez send Argentina through

Argentina has nine lives. It has a VAR that always seems to come to its rescue. It has a legend in Lionel Messi. And now it has the Spider too, Julián Álvarez, whose nickname is “La Araña” (“The Spider”), had gone a long time without finding the net before striking when Argentina needed him most.

A magnificent goal from Julián Álvarez, a wicked curling effort that flew into the top corner, spared the defending champions a penalty shootout and booked their place in the semifinals against England. The game had everything: controversy, tension and an extra-time ending from which La Albiceleste once again emerged victorious.

Argentina face Switzerland

Argentina experienced a completely different kind of match from its previous games. Mac Allister’s goal from a corner gave it the perfect platform and allowed it to play with the game management it does so well. This team has so many different faces that it can transform itself completely in the space of a week: from heroic comeback specialists to pragmatic experts in protecting a lead. It was far from a brilliant Argentina performance. Instead, it relied on all the tricks that served it so well in Qatar: slowing the tempo, drawing fouls, managing the clock... the other side of soccer.

Messi looked constrained in a game that brought out the least Argentine version of himself. Even so, he added another assist to his remarkable tally by setting up Mac Allister’s opener, an unlikely scorer with his head from a corner given that his marker, Sow, had several inches on him. Everyone on the bench rushed to embrace Walter Samuel, who, despite looking like he had just walked out of prison, clearly saw something in Mac Allister to make him a target on corner kicks. Credit to him.

There was still plenty of soccer left to play, though, and the game always has unexpected twists that can turn what appears to be a comfortable path into the next round into a dramatic ending, one full of controversy and impossible to ignore. An improved Switzerland dug in, began to trouble Emiliano Martínez and, in the middle of its best spell, found an equalizer through a superb Ndoye finish after combining with Ricardo Rodríguez.

The game changes in the blink of an eye

Three minutes later, with Argentina reeling, one incident that will be replayed around the world dragged it back from the brink.

In an innocuous challenge near midfield, with no danger whatsoever, the referee showed Paredes a yellow card for what was deemed a foul on Embolo. Replays showed that Embolo had dived and VAR, using the new rule that allows mistaken identity decisions to be corrected in situations like this, intervened with the kind of selective justice that so often seems to hurt the underdog while favoring the heavyweight.

Paredes’ yellow card was rescinded and transferred to the offender, Embolo, who had already been booked and was therefore sent off. It was an earthquake. Switzerland exploded with anger. Akanji and Xhaka gestured that the decision, like so many involving Argentina, appeared premeditated. Embolo walked down the tunnel furious and inconsolable, supported by four teammates.

The rule, which was already applied to Almirón during the United States-Paraguay match in the opening round, backs up both the referee and VAR because the caution is transferred from the wrongfully punished player to the offender. But the cold way in which the decision was carried out once again left the feeling that, whenever there is any doubt, it goes Argentina’s way. It was the 72nd minute.

La Albiceleste could have won before extra time, but Kobel kept Switzerland alive and the match went the distance. Argentina felt so superior, and believed it had so much time, that it almost became too relaxed. Scaloni introduced Nico González, Almada and Lautaro Martínez, while Messi took charge, convinced the breakthrough would come sooner or later, even as the clock ticked away.

With the fear of a penalty shootout growing and Switzerland exhausted after playing with 10 men, the man who emerged from the shadows was the one who had barely been heard from throughout the tournament. The striker some say is worth $150 million and others still refuse to sign. The Spider who went from having a quiet World Cup to becoming Argentina’s hero in Kansas City.

His spectacular strike was followed by another goal from Lautaro deep into extra time. With VAR or without it, Julián belongs to a special breed.

The chosen ones.

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