Argentina defeats Switzerland 3-1 in extra time, advances to World Cup semi-final against England
Argentina secures semi-final berth
Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in a dramatic World Cup 2026 quarter-final match held at Arrowhead Stadium. The victory sets up a highly anticipated semi-final clash against England. The match saw Julian Alvarez score a crucial extra-time goal, following earlier strikes from Alexis Mac Allister and Lautaro Martinez.
The game began with Argentina taking an early lead in the 10th minute. Alexis Mac Allister capitalised on a corner delivery from Lionel Messi, heading the ball in after being left unmarked. This early goal provided Argentina with an advantage despite Switzerland’s positive start to the match.
Switzerland had opportunities to respond, with Breel Embolo notably having a promising chance in the first half that was thwarted by the combined efforts of Lisandro Martinez and Emi Martinez. Embolo had another significant opportunity shortly after the restart, but Lisandro Martinez made a crucial block to deny him a goal.
Swiss fight back and red card incident
Switzerland continued to press, with Dan Ndoye and Granit Xhaka forcing saves from the Argentina goalkeeper. Their sustained pressure eventually paid off in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye, after a neat one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez, fired home from a tight angle to level the score. This equaliser brought Switzerland back into the contest.
However, Switzerland’s momentum was short-lived. Just five minutes after their equalising goal, a controversial incident led to a red card. Leandro Paredes was booked for a foul on Breel Embolo. Under new mistaken identity rules, the VAR recommended a review, and referee Joao Pinheiro subsequently showed Embolo a second yellow card for simulation, reducing Switzerland to 10 men.
Despite being a man down, Switzerland managed to hold the reigning world champions at bay for the remainder of regular time. Both Messi and Mac Allister had chances to secure a win for Argentina before the final whistle, but they were unable to find the decisive goal, leading the match into extra time.
Extra time drama and semi-final setup
In extra time, Argentina finally made their numerical advantage count. In the 112th minute, Julian Alvarez scored a stunning goal from 25 yards, placing the ball into the top right corner, to restore Argentina’s lead. This goal significantly shifted the momentum in Argentina’s favour.
The victory was sealed in the 120+1st minute when Lautaro Martinez added a third goal for Argentina. His strike came after an initial shot from Thiago Almada was kept out, with Martinez following up to secure the win. The final score of 3-1 after extra time confirmed Argentina’s progression to the semi-finals.
This match marks the second time in three games that Argentina has been taken to extra time in the tournament. Had Enzo Fernandez not scored a 93rd-minute winner against Egypt in the last-16, it would have been three consecutive games extending beyond regular time. This extended play could potentially impact Argentina’s energy levels for their upcoming semi-final.
The semi-final match against England is scheduled to take place in Atlanta on Wednesday at 8pm UK time. This will be the first competitive meeting between the two nations in 24 years, with a spot in the final against either France or Spain at stake.
The match saw several key moments, including Mac Allister’s opening header in the 10th minute and Ndoye’s equaliser in the 67th minute. Embolo’s red card in the 72nd minute was a pivotal moment, altering the course of the game. Alvarez’s goal in the 112th minute and Martinez’s late strike in the 120+1st minute ultimately decided the outcome.
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Source: skysports.com
