India, July 12 -- Emotions boiled over during Argentina's World Cup quarterfinal against Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday, and even Lionel Messi briefly lost his cool. As the defending champions battled their way to a dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory to set up a semifinal against England in Atlanta on July 16, the Argentina captain was caught in a heated exchange with Portuguese referee Joao Pinheiro, a moment that quickly went viral on social media.

The incident occurred during the first half when Switzerland were preparing to take a free kick. Standing in Argentina's defensive wall, Messi appeared unhappy with the manner in which Pinheiro instructed him to move back the required distance.

Broadcast cameras captured the eight-time...