July 12, (THEWILL) — Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after overcoming a resilient Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in a gripping quarter-final at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Lionel Scaloni’s side were made to work hard by a determined Swiss team that refused to buckle despite playing much of the contest with 10 men, before late goals from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez finally sealed victory.
Argentina made the perfect start, taking the lead inside the opening 10 minutes when Alexis Mac Allister rose highest to head home a pinpoint corner from Lionel Messi.
The early breakthrough appeared to put the defending champions in control, but Switzerland gradually settled into the match and began asking questions of the Argentine defence.
Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute as Ricardo Rodríguez released Dan Ndoye with a perfectly weighted pass, and the forward calmly slotted the ball beneath Emiliano Martínez to bring the Swiss level.
Switzerland’s task became significantly more difficult just five minutes later when Breel Embolo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation, forcing Murat Yakin’s side to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, the Swiss produced a courageous defensive display, frustrating Messi and his teammates throughout the closing stages of normal time and into extra time.
Argentina eventually found the breakthrough in the 112th minute when Julián Álvarez produced a moment of brilliance, curling a superb effort into the top corner to restore his side’s lead.
With Switzerland committing players forward in a desperate search for another equaliser, Lautaro Martínez put the result beyond doubt in stoppage time of extra time, finishing clinically on the counterattack to complete a 3-1 victory.
The win sends Argentina into a second successive FIFA World Cup semi-final as they continue their pursuit of back-to-back world titles, a feat last achieved by Brazil in 1962.
Lionel Messi also reached another milestone by registering the 10th World Cup assist of his career with the corner that led to Mac Allister’s opener.
Argentina will now face England in a mouth-watering semi-final clash in Atlanta, while Switzerland bow out with heads held high after matching their best-ever World Cup performance and pushing the reigning champions to the limit.
