Kansas City, Missouri: Argentina advanced to the World Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 victory over Switzerland after extra time on Saturday, surviving a third consecutive dramatic knockout match and keeping alive their bid to win back-to-back titles.
Alexis Mac Allister had opened the scoring in the 10th minute, heading in a Lionel Messi corner, but Switzerland equalised through Dan Ndoye in the 67th minute.
Switzerland had Breel Embolo sent off in the 72nd minute after a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) review.
Argentina will now face England, who beat Norway 2-1 after extra time, on Wednesday in Atlanta.
Fans of the South American team dominated the stands in Kansas City and were celebrating as early as the 10th minute when their hero Lionel Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister’s opener.
Switzerland levelled midway through the second half through Dan Ndoye, but minutes later, disaster struck when Embolo was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for simulation.
The match went to extra-time, and Switzerland snuffed out wave after wave of attacks until Alvarez curled a breathtaking strike into the top corner in the 112th minute.
Lautaro Martínez added gloss with a late third.
The hard-fought victory for Lionel Scaloni’s men at the Arrowhead Stadium means the top four teams in the FIFA rankings will contest the semi-finals of the 2026 tournament.
Argentina are now unbeaten in their past 12 World Cup matches as they attempt to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain their World Cup crown.
The South Americans swept through the group phase but struggled past minnows Cape Verde and needed a spectacular comeback against Egypt.
Saturday’s game was another attritional affair against a Swiss team seeking to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time.
