SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Argentinas theme at this World Cup seems to be scrappy wins with Lionel Messi pulling through at the last m

Posted in IYH Forums by jokergreen0220 at 09:16, Feb 17 2017

SAO PAULO, Brazil -- Argentinas theme at this World Cup seems to be scrappy wins with Lionel Messi pulling through at the last minute to save the day. Ron Greschner Rangers Jersey . This time he didnt score on his own, but set the stage for Angel Di Maria to score an extra-time winner against Switzerland. "It doesnt matter if its beautiful or ugly," Di Maria said. "Only that Argentina won and will play another game in the tournament." Argentina will play Belgium in the quarterfinals. Except for its final group-stage win over Nigeria, Argentina has won its matches in Brazil in the same manner -- grinding down its opponents rather than dazzling them with brilliant football. In the first half Tuesday, Argentina struggled to find paths through Switzerlands five-man midfield, and it was the Swiss that produced the best chances. Granit Xhaka pushed Sergio Romero to a great save and Josip Drmic spoiled a great opportunity when he tried to chip the ball over the Argentina goalkeeper. When cracks started opening in the defence in the second half, goalkeeper Diego Benaglio kept Switzerland in the game, stopping Gonzalo Higuains header and Messis low shot in the 78th minute. Benaglio also saved a powerful attempt by Di Maria in extra time, and it looked like the Swiss would be able to push the game into a penalty shootout. Then, in the 118th, Rodrigo Palacio won the ball in midfield and fed Messi, who dribbled down the middle in trademark fashion, escaping a challenge from Swiss defender Fabian Schaer before poking the ball to Di Maria. Unmarked, the Real Madrid player beat Benaglio with his 10th goal in Argentinas colours. "Whats important is that we moved on to the next stage," said Messi, who has scored four of Argentinas seven goals, including an injury-time winner against Iran. "It was difficult. We knew it was going to be a hard match." Swiss substitute Blerim Dzemaili nearly equalized right before the end but his header hit the post, and the rebound bounced off his knee and wide of the goal. Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld, whose brother died at age 81 one the eve of the match, said his team leaves the tournament with "our heads high." "We made life very tough for them," he said. "They managed to keep their cool. It shows Argentina has a good team." Hitzfeld said it was his last match as a football coach. He had earlier said he would quit after the tournament. His Argentine counterpart, Alejandro Sabella, said he thought his team played a "wonderful match," though he conceded theres room for improvement. "It was a match that we deserved to win," said Sabella. "The first half was very even. They had two clear chances and after that the match was ours." Argentina will play its next match without left back Marcos Rojo, who is suspended after receiving his second yellow card on Tuesday. ------ Lineups: Argentina: Sergio Romero; Pablo Zabaleta, Federico Fernandez, Ezequiel Garay, Marcos Rojo (Jose Maria Basanta, 105); Fernando Gago (Lucas Biglia, 106), Javier Mascherano, Angel Di Maria; Lionel Messi, Gonzalo Higuain, Ezequiel Lavezzi (Rodrigo Palacio, 74). Switzerland: Diego Benaglio; Stephan Lichtsteiner, Johan Djourou, Fabian Schaer, Ricardo Rodriquez; Xherdan Shaqiri, Gokhan Inler, Granit Xhaka (Gelson Fernandes, 66), Valon Behrami, Admir Mehmedi (Blerim Dzemaili, 113); Josip Drmic (Haris Seferovic, 82). Stanley Cup Canadiens Jersey . The stress, the waiting, the whispers about whether he doped during his stellar cycling career, all of it ended when - after nearly two years - federal prosecutors closed an investigation of him last week without bringing any charges. Martin St. Louis Rangers Jersey . After a 10-game skid, winning sure feels good. Atlantas third error in the last two innings allowed Jackie Bradley Jr. http://www.nhl2017.us.com/Montreal-Canadiens-Serge-Savard-Jersey/ . - Chicago Bears running back Matt Forte sees the commitment to the handoff and cant help but come away impressed.VANCOUVER - Calgary Stampeders linebacker Juwan Simpson wasnt sure what to make of Bo Levi Mitchell.The rookie quarterback strode into the locker-room at training camp back in 2012 with the confidence of a 10-year veteran, not a player looking for a job.Hes probably one of the most arrogant rookies to come in, Simpson recalled with a smile.Brash young players can sometimes rub veterans the wrong way, but Mitchell gained the trust of teammates early and in three seasons has gone from a third-string pivot to the starter on a 15-3 club that will meet the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Sundays 102nd Grey Cup.He applies himself. I think thats where his confidence comes from, added Simpson. Its not just because he has a strong arm.Maybe thats how he originally got his confidence, but he definitely prepares himself very well and he works hard. He goes out there and performs ... Im a fan.Stampeders running back Jon Cornish, the CFLs most outstanding player in 2013, remembers Mitchell turning heads almost immediately.So heres this guy coming in throwing in scout team and just dropping bombs on our first-team defence, said Cornish. I think that allowed him to sort of understand that he can play at this level.It just speaks to how great his understanding of this game is and how much effort he puts into becoming a better player.A native of Katy, Texas, Mitchell completed 63.3 per cent of his passes in 2014, totalling 3,389 yards and 22 touchdowns against eight interceptions for the CFLs most potent offence.Hes got the good little Texas quarterback swagger about him, said Calgary running back Rob Cote. Its good. A quarterback needs confidence and hes got that for sure. Its an advantage to have an even-keel guy. You dont want a big roller-coaster emotionally and hes a rock for our offence.Mitchell was cool under pressure in his first playoff start last weekend in Calgarys victory in the West Division final victory over the Edmonton Eskimos, something he said has always been part of his makeup.I get excited when my helmets on and I get hit or when we make a big play. Thats when it comes out of me, said the 24-year-old. As a quarterback youve got to keep calm. Youve got to be thinking about the plays and not getting too overly excited about stuff. Ive won one at every level and Im very excited to get the opportunity to do it again, but I know its tough.I know that it comes from having those teammates around you and having a full team effort in orderr to get a win. Vincent Lecavalier Lightning Jersey. While some players need to psyche themselves up for big games, Mitchell takes a more measured approach to his craft.When you play the game for so long its hard to make too much of it, said the product of Eastern Washington University. A lot of guys, they need the nerves. Its something that gets them ready.For me its my job, its my career, something that I love to do and Im passionate about. Every opportunity and chance I get to go out there and play, Im going to take advantage of it.Mitchell took over the starting job this season from Drew Tate, who in turn beat out Kevin Glenn in 2013, and should give the Stampeders a steady hand moving forward.I know that every person in the locker-room understands hes the quarterback that weve been looking for, said Cornish. Its just nice to have that consistency, the leadership and the level-headedness under centre.Stampeders head coach and general manager John Hufnagel said Mitchell has done everything hes asked of him since he came to the CFL three seasons ago. The games not too big for Bo, said Hufnagel. He manages it, he makes plays. Hell make mistakes like everybody, but hell come back and manage the game.Mitchell was the No. 3 quarterback when the Stampeders lost the 2012 Grey Cup game to the Toronto Argonauts and was the backup when the team dropped last years West final to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.Im a teammate first. Being third-string quarterback, second-string or first-string, you feel the pain of your brothers and teammates whenever you lose that big game because we all put in work, he said. We all put in the sweat and the tears to get there.Mitchell will be opposite Hamiltons Zach Collaros on Sunday, another quarterback making just his second playoff start.Zach is a very competitive quarterback and thats what I love about him, said Mitchell. I love watching him play and the way he fires his team up. We are similar in that fact.Hes done a great job coming back (from injury) and leading his team to the Grey Cup.While he doesnt do a lot of talking in the locker-room, Mitchell is happy to shoulder the expectations put on his club as it looks for its first title since 2008.I like fielding the questions when they question me because that means theyre not questioning other people, he said. I dont mind them putting the pressure on me because I prepare the way I do to make sure that when any situations comes, I can step up and handle it. Cheap NFL Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Jerseys From China Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys ' ' '