Argentina staff praise Walter Samuel after set-piece leads Mac Allister goal vs Switzerland

In the quarter‑final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, Argentina took a 1‑0 lead against Switzerland when Alexis Mac Allister headed a Lionel Messi corner into the net. The goal was the result of a set‑piece routine meticulously planned by former defender Walter Samuel, who oversees Argentina’s dead‑ball situations.

Immediately after the goal, coach Lionel Scaloni and the Argentine technical staff gathered around Samuel, offering pats, hugs and public congratulations, acknowledging his tactical role. Samuel continued to direct the team’s set‑piece preparations throughout the match, underscoring the importance of rehearsed dead‑ball strategies in high‑stakes tournament play.