During the Brazilian World Cup lots of coaches stated there is no easy match and the teams must play till the end. The 1/8 finals proved the words of these people. The favorite teams held toughest matches and 5 from 8 games finished in extra time.

Before the match against Argentina, the German coach of the Swiss national team admitted that the South Americans were favorites. Perhaps, no one had thought that 90 minutes would not have been enough for Messi and the Argentines to beat the Europeans.

Messi played at high level again but unlike the group matches, he did not score goal this time. However, he earned goal assist. Many thought penalty shootout was inevitable but Messi assisted di Maria who scored goal. Messi has leadership qualities and if before he had proved it only in “Barcelona”, now he is leading the national team at Mundial.

Di Maria is an outstanding figure in the national team with the captain. It is amazing how this man has so much energy. The football player of “Real” Madrid is holding the best season and he was not recognized as the best player of Champions League final by accident.

The matches of Brazil and Argentina have the most spectators at the current Mundial. “FIFA Fan Fest” was crowded. The Argentines were in majority. Others were supporting the compatriots from the ocean beach.

At first the Argentines covered the voice of the Swiss but when Shaqiri and Drmic missed targets they started shouting: “Svizra, Svizra”. When the Swiss possessed the ball, the fans shouted “Ole, Ole”. After the goal of di Maria, “FIFA Fan Fest” almost collapsed.

The Argentine fans were overjoyed after the match. Hundreds of fans dressed in the shirts of Messi were jumping together. The Brazilians were supporting Switzerland. They are always supporting against Argentina. I have seen how the Brazilians were supporting Bosnia at “Maracana”.

Some people think only Pele can prevent Argentine from becoming champion and they were waving his poster. By the way, Pele was watching the previous match from the stadium. When he showed up on the screen, the Argentines started whistling. For some people Pele is “The King of Football”. Others think Messi, Maradona and the Pope are three great persons in the world.

Argentina will face Belgium in ¼ final. The last time these teams played each other at the 1986 World Cup in Mexico. Diego Maradona scored two goals and the South Americans won 2:0.

Lasha Tabagari, special correspondent of worldsport.ge from Rio de Janeiro