Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City on Saturday, July 11. Julián Álvarez’s 112th-minute strike sent the holders into a FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final against England.
Alexis Mac Allister headed Argentina ahead in the 10th minute from Lionel Messi’s corner. Dan Ndoye equalised in the 67th after combining with Ricardo Rodríguez.
Switzerland went down to 10 players five minutes later. After a VAR review, referee João Pinheiro booked Breel Embolo for simulation, his second yellow card.
The Swiss held out through regulation and the first period of extra time. Álvarez then curled a 25-yard shot into the top corner before Lautaro Martínez scored Argentina’s third in stoppage time.
Messi did not score, ending a nine-match World Cup scoring streak. His assist took him to 10 across six World Cups. He remains level with France forward Kylian Mbappé on eight goals in the Golden Boot race.
The win stretched Argentina’s unbeaten World Cup run to 12 matches. Lionel Scaloni’s side can become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the trophy. For the first time, FIFA’s four highest-ranked teams reached the semi-finals.
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Argentina will face England at Atlanta Stadium on Wednesday, July 15. Thomas Tuchel’s side beat Norway 2-1 after extra time in Miami, while France will meet Spain in the other semi-final.
