Argentina secured their place in the World Cup 2026 semi-finals after a 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland. The match, held in Kansas City, saw Julian Alvarez score a significant goal to help his team advance. This result sets up a semi-final clash against England, scheduled to take place in Atlanta.
The defending champions faced a determined Swiss side that made the quarter-final encounter challenging. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring for Argentina in the 10th minute, heading in a corner delivered by Lionel Messi. This early goal provided Argentina with the lead, though the South Americans did not immediately dominate the game as might have been anticipated.
Switzerland, despite a positive start, found themselves trailing early. Their most promising chance in the first half came through Breel Embolo, but a combined effort from Lisandro Martinez and Emi Martinez prevented him from getting a shot away. Embolo later had another significant opportunity after the restart, only to be denied by a crucial block from Lisandro Martinez.
Swiss Fightback and Controversial Red Card
The Swiss continued to press, with Dan Ndoye and Granit Xhaka forcing saves from the Argentine goalkeeper. Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute when Ndoye linked up effectively with Ricardo Rodriguez and scored from a tight angle, levelling the game. This equaliser was a deserved reward for Switzerland’s sustained pressure.
However, Switzerland’s momentum was short-lived. Just five minutes after their goal, a controversial incident led to Embolo’s dismissal. Leandro Paredes was initially booked for a foul on Embolo. Under new mistaken identity rules, the VAR recommended a review, and referee Joao Pinheiro subsequently showed Embolo a second yellow card for simulation instead. Embolo, who appeared inconsolable, was sent off, reducing Switzerland to 10 men.
The decision to send off Embolo significantly altered the dynamics of the match. Switzerland had been playing well and were arguably the better side at the time of the red card. His dismissal forced them into a more defensive posture, aiming to hold out for a penalty shootout. Argentina, meanwhile, struggled to break down the resilient Swiss defence despite their numerical advantage.
Alvarez’s Stunner and Semi-Final Outlook
Both Messi and Mac Allister had chances to secure a win for Argentina before the end of normal time, but they were unable to find the decisive goal, leading to extra time. Switzerland managed to keep the reigning world champions at bay for the first 15 minutes of extra time, clinging to the hope of penalties.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 112th minute by Julian Alvarez, who scored a stunning goal from 25 yards, sending the ball into the top right corner of the net. This spectacular strike effectively took the wind out of Switzerland’s sails. As the Swiss pushed forward in the final moments, leaving gaps in their defence, Lautaro Martinez capitalised deep into stoppage time in extra time, adding a third goal for Argentina after an initial shot from Thiago Almada deflected into his path.
Argentina’s victory, though ultimately decisive, highlighted some potential vulnerabilities. They have now been taken to extra time twice in the tournament, including a previous match against Cape Verde in the round of 32. This taxing journey through the knockout stages could be a factor in their upcoming semi-final. England, their next opponents, also required extra time to defeat Norway in their quarter-final match.
The semi-final between Argentina and England will be the first competitive meeting between the two nations in 24 years. The winner will advance to the final to face either France or Spain. Messi, despite a relatively quiet game by his standards, still provided a crucial assist and continues to defy expectations at 39 years old, remaining a key figure for Argentina.
Looking Ahead to Atlanta
The match in Kansas City saw a significant Argentine presence, with the stadium atmosphere resembling a home game for the South American side. While the team’s defence of their World Cup title has been described as unconvincing at times, their ability to win games of brinkmanship has been evident.
The third goal, scored by Lautaro Martinez, involved two substitutes, with Almada making an impact after coming on. Argentina’s reliance on Messi for creativity was apparent during periods when he was less influential, though he did stir late in the game, creating chances. The upcoming semi-final in Atlanta will be a test for both sides, with Argentina hoping to secure a place in the final.
The semi-final clash against England is scheduled for Wednesday in Atlanta.
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Source: skysports.com
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Charlie Bradshaw is the Senior Football Correspondent at News-GB, covering the Premier League, the EFL and the England national side with ten years of reporting experience. He covered Merseyside football before going national. He holds a degree in Sports Journalism from Liverpool John Moores University and completed an NCTJ diploma. Based in Liverpool, he watches non-league sides and collects old match programmes. “The back page is only ever half the story.”