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Argentina vs. Switzerland: Live Player Ratings

Karl Matchett@@karlmatchettX.com LogoFeatured ColumnistJuly 1, 2014

Argentina's Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the group F World Cup soccer match against Nigeria at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, Wednesday, June 25, 2014. (AP Photo/Jon Super)
Jon Super/Associated Press

Argentina and Switzerland battled it out for a place in the quarter-final of the 2014 FIFA World Cup with their round-of-16 fixture on Tuesday.

At the end of 90 minutes, the scores remained level at 0-0, with Josip Drmic missing the best chance of the game for Switzerland. Extra time did not bring too many more chances—but Angel Di Maria scored with just two minutes left to send Argentina through to the last eight.

Argentina:

Argentina Player Ratings
PlayerHTFTET
Sergio Romero665
Pablo Zabaleta556
Ezequiel Garay666
Federico Fernandez544
Marcos Rojo677
Fernando Gago654
Javier Mascherano776
Angel Di Maria767
Lionel Messi677
Ezequiel Lavezzi54N/A
Gonzalo Higuain544
Rodrigo PalacioN/A55
Jose BasantaN/AN/A6
Lucas BigliaN/AN/A6
b/r

First-half analysis:

Romero: Made two saves but could have been embarrassed with poor decision making.

Zabaleta: Unable to get forward, tested in defence.

Garay: Close to scoring from a diving header. Untested centrally at the back.

Fernandez: Has been beaten once or twice on the ground.

Rojo: Providing support in final third but no delivery yet.

Mascherano: Recycling the ball and winning possession.

Gago: Neat, tidy, unambitious, ineffective.

Di Maria: Has made the best running for Argentina. Kicked all over the place early on.

Messi: Quiet as a result of Switzerland doubling up on him quickly.

Lavezzi: Flashes of pace, but little penalty box play.

Higuain: Poor once more, no service though.

Full-time analysis:

Romero: Unsteady, unimpressive and, unfortunately for Switzerland, all too often untested.

Zabaleta: Not his best display, but improved as the game went on.

Garay: Poor in the challenge, strong in the air.

Fernandez: His partnership with Garay looks weak.

Rojo: One of the better players but booked and suspended for the quarterfinals.

Mascherano: Held the midfield together well but limited in on the ball work.

Gago: Very poor display, provided no service to attackers.

Di Maria: Got everything wrong...except his match-winning goal.

Messi: Only once managed to evade his markers, but used that time to set up the winning strike.

Lavezzi: Subbed.

Higuain: Completely anonymous.

Palacio: Had more impact on the game from the bench than after coming on.

Basanta: Untested at left-back.

Biglia: Little time to impact the game.

Switzerland:

Switzerland Player Ratings
PlayerHTFTET
Diego Benaglio677
Stephan Lichtsteiner677
Johan Djourou677
Fabian Schar788
Ricardo Rodriguez888
Gokhan Inler799
Valon Behrami678
Xherdan Shaqiri777
Granit Xhaka65N/A
Admir Mehmedi555
Josip Drmic55N/A
Gelson FernandesN/A65
Haris SeferovicN/A65
Blerim DzemailiN/AN/A5
b/r

First-half analysis:

Benaglio: Hasn't been tested.

Lichtsteiner: Supporting from deep, a few issues defensively to worry about.

Schar: Impressively solid, looks untroubled.

Djourou: Clearances have been a little unsteady, but otherwise good.

Rodriguez: Very good defensively and in possession.

Inler: Excellent in winning back possession and keeping the ball moving.

Behrami: Closing down well, holding midfield tightly.

Xhaka: A little isolated down the right flank. Booked.

Shaqiri: Has been the brightest player on the park, looking to attack one-on-one whenever possible.

Mehmedi: No real chance to attack off the left flank yet.

Drmic: Missed a great chance for the opening goal.

Full-time analysis:

Benaglio: Dealt well with everything, might have done better with the goal though.

Lichtsteiner: Solid and unspectacular.

Schar: Very good display, right up until a wild missed tackle on Messi in buildup to goal.

Djourou: Effective if ungainly.

Rodriguez: Switzerland's best player but got dragged over for the goal.

Inler: Superb in midfield.

Behrami: So much work gotten through, great partnership with Inler.

Xhaka: Lucky not to see red early in second half.

Mehmedi: Not too much impact in the final third.

Shaqiri: Had a few bursts of excitement but couldn't create many chances.

Drmic: Subbed off.

Seferovic: No impact.

Fernandes: Poor display, booked.

Dzemaili: Could (should?) have scored a late, late equaliser.