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Lionel Messi feared Argentina were about to crash out of the World Cup until Angel di Maria popped up with an extra-time winner in Sao Paulo.
Argentina advanced to the quarter-finals with a 1-0 win over Switzerland after extra-time.
The scores had been level until the 118th minute thanks to some superb goalkeeping by Switzerland's Diego Benaglio, but Di Maria converted Messi's pass at the death to send the South American side through.
"I was nervous towards the end because we couldn't score and any mistake could have knocked us out," the Argentina captain told a press conference after the match in the Arena Corinthians.
Argentina v Switzerland - player ratings
"The minutes were passing by and we didn't want the match to go to penalties.
"We were suffering, but we had a special play, I passed to Angel and now we can celebrate."
The South Americans dominated possession in the first half, but they would have been behind at the break had Josip Drmic not wasted a glorious chance to put Switzerland ahead.
The Swiss withstood a barrage from Argentina for the rest of the evening, with Benaglio making top saves to deny Di Maria, Rodrigo Palacio and Pablo Zabaleta.
The result means Argentina are still on course for a dream final with Brazil in the Maracana.
