There was an explosion of euphoria from Buenos Aires to Bangladesh – Saturday night or Sunday morning, depending on where you’re sitting. The dream of an Argentine “repeat” was still alive as Julian Alvarez’s extra-time curler beat the outstretched hands of Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel to find the far corner. Another was added by Lautaro Martinez in added time and the 3-1 victory set up a grudge semi-final against England that will have famous historical currents.But as German Three Lions coach Thomas Tuchel said they were “lucky to have won” against Norway, even Argentina die-hards knew deep down they had an escape.Argentina had taken a 10th-minute lead, courtesy of Alexis MacAllister’s header from a Messi corner, but the second half started on a completely different note. The Swiss began to direct the midfield as the Argentine defense continued to collapse. And when winger Dan Ndoye’s equalizer, the culmination of a brilliant move, arrived in the 67th minute, Argentina’s global fanbase was worried.In their last two narrow wins against Cape Verde and Egypt, the three-time champions had kept it up late on but were never second best on the pitch. But in Dallas, for 20 minutes of the second half, the defending champions seemed to be chasing shadows against a well-drilled European unit.It lasted until the moment of the brain of the Swiss striker Embolo in the 72nd minute, which all brought him for the European team, playing his first quarter-final of the World Cup since 1954. Already on a yellow, Embolo fell to the ground in vain, trying to remove a card for Leandro Paredes, but VAR identified his expulsion that led.It was destroyed, the Swiss were stunned, the social media went into a frenzy, but it could not be denied that by the letter of the law. It was a simulation on Embolo’s part and the Portuguese referee was within his rights to give the go-ahead.The game changed completely after that. For the Swiss, it was a matter of survival for almost 50 minutes with 10 men, who defended with two lines of four. Argentina attacked well, but this phase of the game was not exactly inspiring from their point of view.The passing was slow, the crosses unimaginative, and even Leo Messi, by his galactic standards, had a bit of a day. He missed a sitter that was adjudged offside but was overturned by VAR, while another right-footer after dropping his shoulders missed the mark by a whisker. Beyond that, there wasn’t much to write home about as Manuel Akanji & Co. he defended the Argentine attacks with a degree of ease.But then, it always helps when there’s a magic dust of talent up your sleeve. There is a reason why a bidding war is underway between Europe’s top clubs led by FC Barcelona for Alvarez, who is tipped to take over from outgoing Polish poacher Robert Lewandowski for the Catalan giants after the World Cup.A strike so pure quality, the 26-year-old combined power and precision as the Trionda whistled through the evening air and hit the back of Kobel’s net. While it was a first in this World Cup for the superstar, the goal will find its place in Argentine folklore if the Albiceleste continue to make history next Sunday.But for now, on the road is England, a spunky unit that shows flashes of its late 1980s, early 90s. In Jude Bellingham, they have a figure of Paul Gascoigne who can set the midfield and close open defenses. And it is a given that not an inch will be given to Argentina in Atlanta on Wednesday. There is also the small matter of an injured 40-year-old and the English may like to believe that a revenge on Messi’s Argentina will finally bury the ghosts of the “Hand of God” that has haunted them for generations.