Argentina survived another tense knockout match Saturday night, defeating 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to advance to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Julián Álvarez broke a 1-1 tie with a superb curling finish in the 112th minute before Argentina added another goal in the closing stages, keeping the defending champions’ bid for back-to-back World Cup titles alive.
Argentina will face England on Wednesday, July 15, in Atlanta for a place in the final. England advanced earlier Saturday with a 2-1 extra-time victory over Norway. Lionel Scaloni’s side took the lead after only 10 minutes. Lionel Messi delivered a corner into the penalty area, where Alexis Mac Allister rose to direct a header past Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
The assist was Messi’s 10th at the World Cup since official records began in 1966, another milestone for the 39-year-old captain during what may be his final appearance at the tournament. Switzerland remained composed despite Argentina controlling much of the possession. The Swiss gradually pushed higher after halftime and equalized in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye finished a well-worked attack to make it 1-1.
The match changed moments later when Breel Embolo was sent off following an unusual video review. Leandro Paredes had initially been booked for a challenge, but replays showed Embolo had begun falling before contact was made. The yellow card against Paredes was withdrawn, and Embolo instead received a second booking for simulation.
Switzerland defended with 10 players for the remainder of regulation and nearly forced a penalty shootout. Kobel repeatedly frustrated Argentina, while Messi sent a late attempt narrowly wide as the match finished 1-1 after 90 minutes. Argentina increased the pressure in extra time but continued to find Switzerland’s defense difficult to break down.
The decisive moment finally arrived in the 112th minute, when substitute José Manuel López found Álvarez near the edge of the penalty area. Álvarez took a few touches before curling a right-footed shot into the top corner beyond Kobel. It was his first goal of the tournament and another late breakthrough for an Argentina team that has repeatedly escaped difficult positions during the knockout rounds.
A third Argentine goal in the closing moments completed the 3-1 victory and ended Switzerland’s deepest World Cup run since 1954. Argentina has now required extra time in two of its three knockout matches. It defeated Cape Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32 before overturning a two-goal deficit to beat Egypt by the same score in the Round of 16.
The defending champions now face an England side that also needed extra time to reach the final four. The winner will advance to the World Cup final on Sunday, July 19, against France or Spain.
