Match Report: Argentina 3-1 Switzerland (AET)

Julián Alvarez scored a stunning extra-time winner as Argentina defeated 10-man Switzerland 3-1 on Saturday to book their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

The defending champions will now face England in a highly anticipated semi-final after both sides came through difficult quarter-final ties.

Argentina made the perfect start in Kansas City, taking the lead in the 10th minute. Lionel Messi delivered an excellent corner and Alexis Mac Allister rose highest at the near post to glance the ball into the far corner.

Messi’s assist was his 10th across six FIFA World Cup tournaments, further adding to his remarkable record on football’s biggest stage.

Switzerland had not trailed at any stage of the tournament until they fell behind in this contest and were forced to chase the game for the first time. They struggled to create many clear chances in the opening half but almost equalised when Breel Embolo raced through on goal. Emiliano Martínez reacted quickly to leave his line and make an important save.

Argentina could not build on their early lead before the break, while Switzerland grew into the game with more possession.

The Swiss found a deserved equaliser in the 67th minute. Ricardo Rodríguez played a clever pass into the area and Dan Ndoye calmly swept the ball past Martínez to make it 1-1.

Five minutes later, Switzerland’s task became much harder. Leandro Paredes was initially shown a yellow card following a proposed foul on Breel Embolo, but a VAR review determined there had been no foul and that Embolo had simulated the incident. Having already been booked earlier in the match, the Swiss forward was shown a second yellow card before being sent off, leaving the pitch in tears.

Argentina continued to push hard to take advantage of an extra player. Mac Allister missed a great chance with a free header before Messi curled an effort narrowly wide as Switzerland held on to force extra-time.

Thiago Almada clipped the outside of Gregor Kobel’s post at the start of extra-time. However, the Swiss defended bravely throughout the first period of extra-time and continued to frustrate the world champions.

However, Argentina finally found the breakthrough in the 112th minute. After Gregor Kobel had stopped Messi’s shot, Alvarez collected the ball outside the penalty area before curling a superb strike into the top-right corner to put his side back in front.

Lautaro Martínez then sealed the victory deep into extra-time, finishing off a swift counter-attack to send Argentina into the World Cup semi-finals.

The win extended Argentina’s unbeaten run at the FIFA World Cup to 12 matches as they continued their bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title.

Argentina will now meet England in Atlanta on Wednesday in one of international football’s most famous rivalries. The two nations have produced several memorable World Cup encounters over the years, including Argentina’s famous victory in 1986 inspired by Diego Maradona and their penalty shoot-out win in 1998, before England gained revenge in 2002.