Argentina Edges Switzerland 3-1 in Extra Time to Reach World Cup Semifinals

Julian Alvarez scored a long-range goal in the 112th minute to send defending champion Argentina past Switzerland 3-1 and into the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals on Saturday. Lautaro Martinez added a late goal in extra time to seal the victory, though the scoreline flattered Argentina in a tightly contested match.

Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring from a Lionel Messi corner kick, but Switzerland equalised through Dan Ndoye in the 67th minute. The match took a decisive turn when Switzerland's Breel Embolo was sent off after a controversial second yellow card, reviewed using the 'mistaken identity' protocol. Switzerland had to play the remainder of extra time with ten men.

Argentina will face England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta. England earlier beat Norway 2-1. Lionel Messi's nine-game World Cup scoring streak ended, but his team advanced to the last four. For the first time, the top four teams in the FIFA rankings—Argentina, England, France, and Spain—have all reached the semifinals.

The Swiss, playing their first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954, have never made a semifinal and remain winless against Argentina in eight meetings. Argentina extended their unbeaten World Cup run to 12 matches, though they needed extra time in both knockout rounds so far.

The match, played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, was the 100th of the expanded tournament. Argentina had set up their base in Kansas City, winning local support. The heat and humidity earlier in the day gave way to a cooler evening for the quarterfinal contest.