By Eniola Olatunji reporting for Patmos Media Line
…To Face Three Lions of England.
THE SELECTION of Argentina on Sunday morning in Kansas City threw away the Red Crosses of Switzerland 3-1 in the last quarterfinal match of the 2026 World Cup.
Before the match day came, football fans, players and officials had alleged that FIFA the world football governing body had planned to award this year’s trophy to defending champions Argentina. The appointed Ref Joao Pedro Pinheiro was believed would carry out the plans of FIFA to give Argentina a thorough fare to the final.
Ten minutes into the game, Lionel Messi crossed from a corner kick for a perfect header from Alexis Allister to score the opener.
Then a corner kick conceded started a goal mouth melee and in the process, Ricardo Rodriguez found Dan Ndoye who beat goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez in the 67th minute for the equalizer.
Portuguese Ref Pinheiro felt Breel Embolo fell too quickly when he was fouled in the 72nd minute accused him of simulation and after consulting with VAR gave Embolo a second yellow which immediately translate to a red card.
Quick check on 38-year-old Ref Pinheiro shows he was FIFA badged in 2016.
This is his 3rd match to handle at 2026 World Cup.
He handled the same Switzerland versus Bosnia group stage match where he flashed 3 yellow cards; sent off Bosnia Defender, Tarik Muharemovic and gave Switzerland a late penalty.
He handled the Canada versus South Africa match at the round of 16 games where he flashed 2 yellow cards.
A foul by Nigerian born Manuel Akanji and the resultant kick by Manel Lopez found Julian Alverez who scored Argentina’s 2nd goal in the extra time of 112 minutes.
Substitute Lautaro Martinez scored the 3rd goal in the last moment of the match 120th minute from a fast break which looked offside.
The game was well contested for as Argentina had 23-13 shots at goal with 7-5 on target; held the game with 59-41% ball possessions stringing 616-453 passes; there were 14-18 foul calls from Ref Pinheiro resulting in 3-1 yellow cards and a red for Embolo while 8-2 corner kicks were seen.
Three times champions, the Selection of Argentina winning in 1978, 1986 and 2022 ranked number one was appearing for the 19th time at the Mundial whereas The Red Crosses of Switzerland in their 13th appearances were four times quarterfinalists in 1934, 1938, 1954 and this year.
Argentina will now meet England in the 2nd semifinal on Wednesday 15th July at 8.00pm while France will tackle Spain in the 1st Semifinal on Tuesday 14th July at 8.00pm.
#FIFA #2026WORLDCUP #CONMEBOL
#EUFA #AFA #ASF-SFV #NFF.
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