Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez struck in extra time after Breel Embolo’s red card as Lionel Scaloni’s side booked a last-four clash with England.
Argentina booked their place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals after overcoming 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in a dramatic extra-time victory that set up a mouthwatering showdown against England.
Lionel Scaloni’s side looked on course for a comfortable afternoon after Alexis Mac Allister headed them into an early lead, but Switzerland responded brilliantly through Dan Ndoye before Breel Embolo’s second-half dismissal shifted the momentum in Argentina’s favour.
Despite playing with a numerical advantage for the final stages of normal time, Argentina were unable to find a winner before the match headed into extra time.
Mac Allister opened the scoring after just 10 minutes, meeting Lionel Messi’s inviting corner with a glancing header that beat Gregor Kobel and found the bottom corner.
It was the first time Switzerland had fallen behind during their entire World Cup campaign, including qualifying, but they refused to panic and gradually grew into the contest.
Djibril Sow tested Emiliano Martinez from distance before the break, while Switzerland returned after half-time with renewed intensity.
Martinez was forced into a series of excellent saves to deny both Embolo and Ndoye from close range before collecting Granit Xhaka’s powerful strike.
Their pressure eventually paid off in the 67th minute when Ndoye combined superbly with Ricardo Rodriguez before firing a composed finish through Martinez’s legs to restore parity.
However, Switzerland’s momentum disappeared just five minutes later when Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation following a VAR review after going down under Leandro Paredes’ challenge inside the penalty area.
Argentina pushed for a winner in normal time, with Mac Allister heading narrowly wide before Messi curled a trademark effort just past the post, but Switzerland’s disciplined defending forced an additional 30 minutes.
The breakthrough finally arrived late in extra time.
Messi’s effort was initially parried by Kobel before the attack stayed alive, allowing Nico Gonzalez to find Jose Manuel Lopez. The striker cleverly laid the ball into the path of Julian Alvarez, who curled a magnificent finish into the top corner to send Argentina into the lead.
Switzerland threw everyone forward in search of another equaliser, but that left space for Argentina to finish the contest.
Xhaka was dispossessed in midfield by Alvarez before Thiago Almada’s effort was saved by Kobel, only for Lautaro Martinez to react quickest and fire home the rebound to seal Argentina’s place in the last four.
Although Messi’s remarkable run of scoring in nine consecutive World Cup matches came to an end, the captain still delivered another outstanding creative display. His assist for Mac Allister took his World Cup tally to 10 assists, extending his record as the leading provider in the competition since 1966.
Alvarez’s decisive strike was equally significant, marking his first World Cup goal since scoring twice in the semi-finals of the 2022 tournament. Four of his five World Cup goals have now come in knockout matches, once again highlighting his ability to deliver on the biggest stage.
For Switzerland, Embolo’s red card proved to be the turning point. The forward became the first player since 2006 to be sent off for a second yellow card for simulation at a World Cup, a moment that ultimately ended his side’s hopes of causing an upset.
Argentina will now face England in the World Cup semi-finals on July 15 after the Three Lions also required extra time to overcome Norway, with a place in the final at stake.
