Argentina break Swiss resistance in extra time (3-1) and will face England in the semi-finals
Argentina are in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals. At Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, the world champions saw off a stubborn Switzerland (3-1) after extra time. Alexis Mac Allister put Scaloni's side ahead early (10', assisted by Messi), but Dan Ndoye equalised for Switzerland on 67'. The game turned five minutes later: Breel Embolo picked up a second yellow (72') and left his side with ten men. A man up, Argentina pushed and settled it in extra time through Julián Álvarez (112') and Lautaro Martínez (120'). A magnificent Leo Messi, man of the match (8.9), once again set the tone for an Albiceleste who were vastly superior (59% possession, 22 shots and 1.98 expected goals to 0.53). England, who had knocked out Norway, await in the semi-finals.
Argentina do not always win easily, but they almost always win. At Kansas City's Arrowhead Stadium, the world champions needed extra time, a ten-man opponent and, of course, the hand of Lionel Messi to bring down a Switzerland who clung to the game tooth and nail. It finished 3-1, with two extra-time goals flattering a scoreline far tighter than it suggests, and with the Albiceleste into a semi-final where England await.
Lionel Scaloni lined Argentina up in a 4-1-3-2 with Messi freed alongside Julián Álvarez in attack and Paredes, De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Mac Allister in midfield. Opposite, Murat Yakin set up Switzerland in a 4-2-3-1, well-drilled and fearless, with Xhaka in command and Embolo up top. The Swiss plan was to hold firm and take their chances, and for a good hour they carried it out.
The script started well for Argentina. On 10 minutes, Messi slipped a pass through for Alexis Mac Allister to make it 1-0 and, seemingly, set up a comfortable night. But Switzerland never fell apart. Ricardo Rodríguez took charge, Xhaka gained ground and, on 67', Dan Ndoye finished off a fine move to equalise and silence the Argentine support. The 1-1 changed everything.
The night, though, turned again on 72'. Breel Embolo, already booked, picked up a second yellow and left Switzerland with ten just when they were at their best. Argentina, superior throughout —59% possession, 22 shots to 11, 1.98 expected goals to 0.53— could not find the reward in ninety minutes and the tie went to extra time level.
There, the extra man told. In the 112th minute, Julián Álvarez arrived to finish off a José Manuel López assist and restore Argentina's lead (2-1). And on 120', Lautaro Martínez, who had come off the bench, sealed it with the definitive 3-1. Switzerland, exhausted and a man down, had no answer to the late surge of a champion who knows how to manage these games.
Above it all loomed Messi. The captain, named man of the match with a rating of 8.9, provided the assist for the opener and was once again the beacon of a team that, without always shining, keeps finding a way. Argentina now meet England in a blockbuster semi-final, pitting the reigning world champions against one of the tournament's form sides. The Albiceleste are two steps from defending their crown.