By Belize Live News Staff: One hundred and twelve minutes. That is how long Argentina had to wait, and how long Belize had to hold its breath, before the champions finally put Switzerland away and punched their ticket to a semi-final showdown with England.
The 3-1 scoreline flatters the evening. Argentina did almost everything right early, scoring in the 10th minute and pinning the Swiss back with wave after wave of pressure, 23 shots in all. What they could not do was kill the game. Switzerland equalised in the 67th minute and then did what Switzerland do, absorbing everything, frustrating everyone, and hauling the champions into extra time even after losing a man to a second yellow card.
The Jewel’s Albiceleste faithful have seen this movie before, and once again the ending delivered. In the 112th minute, Argentina restored the lead, and as the final seconds of extra time ticked away, they struck a third to finish it, 3-1, and spark relief as much as celebration. After the miracle against Egypt and now this marathon against the Swiss, Argentina are collecting near-misses the way other teams collect clean sheets.
There will be no easing up now. Waiting on Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. Belize time are England, 2-1 winners over Haaland’s Norway, and the owners of one half of international football’s most explosive rivalry. Argentina against England needs no introduction: the Hand of God, the Goal of the Century, Beckham’s sending off, decades of drama compressed into a single fixture. Wednesday adds a new chapter with a World Cup final place at stake.
The bookmakers make England slight favourites, and honestly, the form guide gives them a case. Tuchel’s side conquered the altitude and hostility of Mexico City, then ended Norway’s fairytale. Kane is scoring, the defence is holding, and they will fancy their chances against a champion that keeps living dangerously.
Yet betting against Messi and Argentina has been a losing game for two straight World Cups. The captain is chasing one last final, the golden boot, and footballing immortality all at once, and his team has shown twice in a week that they simply do not know when they are beaten.
France and Spain settle the other semi on Tuesday. Wednesday belongs to the rivalry.
So tell us, Belize: do Argentina have enough to take down England? And who joins them from the other semi? Drop your predictions in the comments.
