India, July 12 -- Another knockout game. Another night when Argentina stared elimination in the face. Another escape. Just when Switzerland looked capable of dragging the defending champions to penalties, Julian Alvarez produced the decisive breakthrough in extra time before Lautaro Martinez drove the final nail into the coffin with a stoppage-time strike, sealing a 3-1 victory in Kansas City and keeping Lionel Messi's World Cup dream alive.

It has become the defining theme of Argentina's title defence. They were pushed to the brink by Cape Verde in the Round of 32, clawed their way back from 2-0 down against Egypt in the Round of 16, and once again found themselves under immense pressure against a stubborn Switzerland. Yet, every time t...