After a difficult encounter with Switzerland, Javier Mascherano does not deny that Argentina need to improve if they are going to progress beyond their quarter-final encounter with Belgium. ‘The moment of truth has arrived,’ said the Barcelona and former Liverpool midfielder. ‘Now we have to maintain the level and get rid of the mistakes.’ Had Switzerland been more clinical in front of goal, Argentina could already be out of this World Cup. But they survived the many opportunities the Swiss had, securing victory and their passage to the last eight with a goal from Angel Di Maria only two minutes before the end of extra time.
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Argentina midfielder says 'moment of truth has arrived' as they prepare to face Belgium
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Mascherano and his team-mates struggled to get past Switzerland in last-16
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Required a late goal in extra time from Angel Di Maria to secure progress
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Argentina considered one of the favourites to lift World Cup in Brazil
@placeholder mis-kicks as Argentina struggle to make the breakthrough in the second round game