Underdogs Switzerland kept Lionel Messi and Argentina quiet in the opening half of their World Cup last-16 tie in Sao Paulo this afternoon, but couldn't take the chances that they earned.

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The game began in stop-start fashion, with several fouls committed by the Swiss as they looked to upset Argentina's flow.

It wasn't until the 27th minute when the first real chance came and it fell to Switzerland against the run of play.

Xherdan Shaqiri tricked his way down the byline and cut the ball back for Granit Xhaka, whose low shot was kept out by the legs of Sergio Romero.

Soon after, Ezequiel Garay flicked a corner wide down the other end before Switzerland had a golden opportunity to go in front.

Shaqiri played in Josip Drmic and the striker beat Romero to the ball before feebly chipping it into the goalkeeper's arms.

Follow all of the second-half action with our minute-by-minute updates here.