Argentina Advance! 3-1 Over Switzerland Sets Up England Clash! Embolo Red Card, Semifinal Preview!

Project 90 Soccer: Another episode Project 90 Soccer. My name is Antonio, and I'm here with, as always, my hermano, the Muchacho, el Caballero de Club Leon, Marco Antonio Munoz. Marco, how you doing?

Marco: Sto bene Anto, Sto bene. We just finished watching the last quarter final, Argentina, Switzerland. And boy, it wasn't the craziest game, but the Argentinians got the job done.

Project 90 Soccer: Sto bene. Yes. Got the job done, just like we thought would happen. Obviously, there was a major there was a red card, so that made a major difference. yeah, but let's just jump into this, Marco. Look, the 10th minute started pretty early for Argentina. McAllister getting the goal. assist coming from Messi. Did not score this game, so he ends his his streak of scoring in World Cup games. Obviously, getting that goal early on. It's good start for Argentina. What did you think of the opening maybe twenty, thirty minutes of the game?

Marco: Yeah, man, we're barely barely getting settled in and on watching this game and Argentina scores, then you just start to think they may steamroll these guys. But yeah, you're right. Leon Leonel Messi had a quiet game. I mean, I would still say he he contributed, right, moving the ball, just trying to get the ball inside and trying to get a sh some shots off, but ultimately in quiet in comparison to all the other games he's had, but

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah.

Marco: No, yeah, man. that red card played a big difference because right before that you it feels like the Reds were just getting into the groove of things. They were they were they were playing the ball in and ultimately that red card changed everything.

Project 90 Soccer: It did, man. So I mean we could kinda I I'll I'll jump on that whole messy, messy comment. I it wasn't his strongest game. I would agree with that. You know, he was he had his moments, link up play, this and that, tried to cut in a few times, take a few shots, but wasn't the most exciting game from him, most influence on the game from him this time around. But all the other players were in there, they stepped up and ultimately Argentina took care of it. But just before the second half Just before the first half ended, I should say, the forty fourth minute, there's this foul, right? And Embolo goes down. Paredes gets a yellow card. And when I saw the replay initially, I saw it as a a dive. I I didn't understand what was going on. Paredes got the yellow card. And you know, shortly after he does the referee does the VAR signal, he walks over. And what does he do? You know, he he takes away the card from. for Peredes, which I agree with. And he gives a second yellow for simulation to Umbolo, sending him off. Now, personally, I think the rules are pretty cut and dry. If there's simulation, it's a yellow card. There's a lot of talk about how it's kind of a harsh red card to give, right? but ultimately for me, the rule just it should just be cut and cut and dry, pretty clear. If there's simulation, it's a yellow card under any circumstance. So he gets the second yellow, gets sent off. those are that's my opinion on it. What do you think about that though?

Marco: Well, we gotta turn it back a little bit, right? If the ref would have never gave Paredes, quite thinking did a solid job today. gave him initially the yellow card, it wouldn't have been reviewable. If it would have just standed alone as a foul, we could have said had Umbolo the rest of the game. But also, like shame on Imbolo, right? You're already on a yellow, right? And you decide to dive, like

Project 90 Soccer: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah.

Marco: There's some refs are gonna, you know, catch you some slack. And then there's some refs that are by the book, like, no, dude, I'm not letting this one fly. We've seen many games where the first foul, the ref wants to set the tone in the game, like not even 10 minutes in, he'll give that first foul a yellow. That's because they want to take control of the game. But no, yeah, man, I agree on this one, the right call. And Bolisher never done that. And their red card was was was fairly deserved.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, I agree. I agree. It's unfortunate. Obviously, it really changed the game for Switzerland because I feel like they were gaining some momentum there. they were really starting to kinda put it on the defense of Argentina. But I mean, as we see here now in the second half, a bit of a shocker, right? the sixty-seventh minute in Doy scores, which is, you know, not expected. One to one. Ties up the game. I thought Indoi was probably one of their better players today. Jaka did very well. And Bolo while he was on was a physical presence as he is. He's a big guy. but you know, there was a sense of maybe some hope there when they tied it one one that maybe, maybe, just maybe, if they sort of parked the bus, they dropped into a five, five flat in the back. They kind of started to to play more defensive, being a man down. I was thinking though, maybe they'll get, you know, a counterattack, something like that, to go up the field, use their speed. And maybe get another chance and score, which they got a few other chances, but ultimately they just they got worn down. and then seeing it go to the ninety, right, and into extra time, it was sort of inevitable what was gonna happen, in my opinion. They were just gonna get they were just gonna get, I mean, constant pressure from Argentina. And that's, you know, ultimately ultimately what happened. so moving on here.

Marco: Yeah, I yeah, I know I had made them the comment to you earlier on, like, yeah, maybe we just parked the bus or they parked the bus, but then I looked at the clock and I was like, it's too early, right? Anto had a good call. Maybe they should focus on some counterattacks because you can't hold that long, right? You still have like twenty odd minutes and let's say you and then you start holding on the back half of of the the extra time. But yeah, man, I mean I think Chaka also did a solid job.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah. No.

Marco: they made mention on the telecast that some of the guys were together since they won the U seventeen World Cup. So when they say that I was like, nice. So make makes a lot of sense why this the these guys have been quietly performing and just moving on game after game getting it done. But yeah, man. going into the the extra time and then just just seeing Argentina just throw three nines up up top. there's a phrase in Mexico, El Carne al Asador.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah.

Marco: They're throwing all the all the meat on the grill, you know. So that's exactly what they did. And ultimately the guy who you and I have been talking about that hasn't really done a lot, he plays he's more of a club guy with Atlantic Madrin, ends up getting a banger of a goal just when they needed it. Alvarez with that that nice goal that he had.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah. I mean perfect shot. Perfect shot. Got a little bobble right when you went to hit it, right? I feel like it was one of those shots that as soon as it leaves your foot, you just know. Like that's perfect. And it was perfect. There's really no controversy. There's nothing that can be said about anything. Fouled nothing. It was just clean touch. Took it inside, clean shot. Two to one. At that point you felt like the game was was over. You know, Switzerland was gonna really have to with eight minutes left. You know, they're gonna have to just throw everything forward. But then the 121st minute, Lotara Martinez puts the final nail in the coffin, ends the dream of Switzerland, which unfortunately I really was I was really pulling for them. You know what I mean? I thought they they got here in you know a respectable fashion. I think they were playing well. Again, just the red card going down to ten men ultimately was the deciding factor, I think.

Marco: Mm-hmm.

Project 90 Soccer: But yeah, man, you know, Tiago Almada had a good shot. The Emmy Martinez had some big saves as well. So you gotta give him credit. but yeah, man.

Marco: Who's been solid all you know who's been solid all tournament? And it goes back to the last World Cup, McAllister, dude. McAllister, he's just solid. And he's he's bald now. He got this this bald head haircut. That made him even more solid, I think. They give him extra points. But he just yeah, he's just been solid, man. He he really plays his heart out. he's one of those guys where you won't hear his name a lot, but but wearing that that jersey, wearing the Argentinian badge on him doesn't weigh on him. He just gets the job done.

Project 90 Soccer: Who's that? Yes. Looks curious. Yeah. No. It's the same. Like him, Paredes is the same way. They you know, they don't do the biggest things maybe in the game, but they're so solid in there. You know what I mean? And another shout out for Argentina, Lissandro Martinez. That guy is a rock, man. Little guy is not the biggest dude, but he was holding it down. Yeah, he was holding it down against like Mbolo and all their strikers. And the thing about him is he'll get you a goal too, like we saw in the previous games. That guy, I don't want to say he's underrated.

Marco: Yeah. Man United, baby.

Project 90 Soccer: But I think he's a key, key component for Argentina if they're gonna go win the World Cup. And a little tangent on on Switzerland, Ruben Vargas coming in late in the game, late in extra time. I even I said this last game, I'll say it this game too. I don't know why this guy is not getting on the field sooner. To me, he you know, I know they have endoy, they have these other players as well, but to me, Vargas is the kind of guy he he creates chances, he's dangerous on the wing.

Marco: Yeah.

Project 90 Soccer: he's shown it in previous tournaments in the last Euros versus Italy. I mean, he absolutely destroyed them. And every time he comes on, I see him being an effective player. So maybe that's something to think about for Switzerland. Maybe they should have put him on sooner, but at the end of the day

Marco: Yeah, if I'm not if I'm not mistaken mistaken, he played the first match to open up the group stage. It was him and Vargas on the other side with Umbolo obviously up front. But yeah yeah, you're right, man. This guy should have been getting more looks.

Project 90 Soccer: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah, yeah, but there it is. Argentina's through to the semis, the semifinals are set. We have the top four teams in the world by ranking in the semifinals. I think that might be a first ever. I'm not too sure. But we have on Tuesday we have France versus Spain, and then Wednesday, Wednesday we have England versus Argentina. The only non European team in this semifinal Let's start with France versus Spain. We kind of talked about this the other day. We touched on it, but quick prediction from you. What do you think is gonna happen there?

Marco: Thinks France is taking that one. I was looking at some stats and looking at like man, Olise hasn't had a goal. So maybe this is that game where he gets that goal. it may be a a close one, right? But just like I mentioned in the previous combo, they just have too much firepower up front. And I don't know. Then again, I could be watching the first half and change my mind, right? Because you never know.

Project 90 Soccer: Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm. Yeah.

Marco: What Spain's gonna come out? What's what what are they gonna do? I mean Lama La Minha Ma was was balling last game, so you just never know. But if I had to put some money on it right now, I'd say I'd say France is moving on.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. Yeah, I agree with that. I think it's gonna be a good game, might be a close match, but I think I think the attacking, just the the force that France has, all the all the different players they have up there, and you know, not to sleep on their their defense is pretty solid as well. but I think their you know, their attack is just nearly unstoppable. I think Spain might be able to put one on the board, maybe even two, might be a high scoring game, but I just think France, France is gonna get through and end up in the final. Second semifinal the day after. England versus Argentina. I think this one's gonna be an interesting sort of matchup. they're both pretty physical teams, I would say. I think Argentina is a very physical team, right? They really get down and dirty. versus England, you know, they have some big defenders, they have some big players on the field. Jude Bellingham's been on fire. Harry Kane's gonna be a tough matchup for Lisandro Martinez. So I don't know, man. What do you see happening there?

Marco: To your point, England has a solid defense, right? Their defense is gonna have to play a huge role against Argentina. But what I would say is both these teams tonight, they went into extra time, right? So who's who's gonna have the freshest legs coming on coming to Wednesday? and ultimately, if it is a nitty-gritty game, who has more more depth in the bench? And I asked you that question. Who do you think that is?

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah. More depth on the bench. England, Argentina, huh? Well, seeing today's performance from England, they brought Sokka off the bench, Spence off the bench, they brought Dan Byrne. Obviously he's a defender. They have John Stones who hasn't started every game but started today. Argentina, Lataro Martinez has been coming off of the bench. Man, that's a tough one, dude, in terms of depth. I have to say I give a slight edge maybe to I want to give it to England. be honest in in terms of of depth coming off the bench, which is gonna really matter in the later stages of the game. If they end up in extra time, that could be the difference maker. man, overall prediction, I I wanna believe that England can, you know, they always say it's coming home. This might be the tournament. I don't know. But I think I think this is gonna be the end of the road for Argentina. They they had they do have a way. They have this special ability to find winners and to just grind games out and win games. but I think England kinda has the same same thing going for them, especially with Bellingham, the way he's been informed, the way he is. yeah, man. I just think it's gonna be a clash of of who wants it more. It's gonna be a fight, but I think England's gonna come out on top in this one.

Marco: And I would and I would echo to what you're saying. I mean, Argentina had two tough games, Cape Verde and this one, right? Both going in extra time.

Project 90 Soccer: Yeah.

Marco: But ultimately I agree. England has more depth on the bench. They have more speed on the bench coming off to to be dynamic when those changes happen. But I don't know, I'm picking Argentina on this one. They just always find a way to win last minute, and they have one of the goats in in the history of soccer, right? So Messi may not have not yeah, he may not have got his goal this time, but he can probably he's probably gonna get it in the semis.

Project 90 Soccer: Mm-hmm. Yeah. Yeah. Could change your game. Mm-hmm. We'll see, man. We'll see. I mean, that that's definitely the truth, right? Messi's on fire. You can never you can never count that guy out. He could change a game in an instant. So we'll see. It's gonna be an exciting game, exciting two semifinal games. but that's it, man. That's it for this episode. Let's wrap it up. That was our quarterfinal sort of recap. And we're moving on into the semis. So we'll be back for those recaps on Tuesday and Wednesday. This has been another episode of Project 90, Project 90Soccer.com. Go find our social streaming platforms. Like, subscribe, comment, do your thing, get involved in the conversation. We want to hear your opinions on these games as well.

Marco: Give us a follow people. Give us a follow.

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