Argentina will face England in the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup after a dramatic victory over Switzerland in sweltering Kansas City.
Julian Alvarez settled a controversial match in extra time with a moment of brilliance, curling an unstoppable 25-yard effort past Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel to set up the meeting with Thomas Tuchel’s side – a match that will be shown live on the BBC.
It was heartbreak for Switzerland, who had defended valiantly after being reduced to 10 men during the second half in dramatic circumstances.
Star striker Breel Embolo was dramatically given a second yellow card for diving following a video assistant referee review.
Embolo initially appeared to be fouled near the half-way line by Leandro Paredes, who was booked. However, the referee was called by VAR to check under the mistaken identity rule, with the replay showing the Swiss player had clearly simulated contact.
The Paredes booking was quashed and Embolo, who had already been booked, was sent off to his distress and Swiss outrage.
Just five minutes before Embolo was dismissed, Switzerland had deservedly equalised having been the better team for much of this game against the reigning world champions.
Argentina may have anticipated a cruise to the last four when Alexis Mac Allister flicked home Lionel Messi’s corner at the near post with just 10 minutes gone.
But they failed to press their advantage and Switzerland built into the game before Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye struck after 67 minutes.
Ndoye cut in from the left, played a one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez and tucked his finish through the legs of Emiliano Martinez.
But Argentina assumed dominance after the Embolo red, and after long periods of struggle were blessed by Alvarez’s moment of genius.
Switzerland pushed for a second leveler, but they were caught on the counter and Lautaro Martinez slotted home as Argentina kept their bid for back-to-back World Cups alive.
For the third successive match, Argentina earned a chaotic win with an underwhelming performance despite starting the match as clear favourites.
After taking the lead early on, they went nearly 90 minutes without another shot on target between Mac Allister’s opener and an acrobatic Lisandro Martinez effort deep into second-half injury time that was well saved low by Kobel.
Emiliano Martinez was the busier goalkeeper, making a close quarter save from Ndoye. Embolo was flagged for offside in the build-up, although replays indicated this may have been overturned had Ndoye scored.
Martinez also saved headers from Embolo and Ndoye, plus a long-range strike by Granit Xhaka.
But Argentina have such a surplus of firepower, they could not be denied – even though Messi was unable to get on the scoresheet for the first time at this World Cup.
Argentina has scored in 15 consecutive World Cup games, netting at least twice in each of the past 11. By scoring more than once here, they set a new World Cup record for longest sequence of scoring multiple goals in the competition’s history, beating Uruguay’s run between 1930 and 1954.
And Messi did still add a record to his gigantic collection, becoming the first man to register 10 assists in World Cup matches.
Switzerland analysis: Embolo red proves turning point
Switzerland will be left to wonder what might have been after a match where they were the better team for long spells – and where the Embolo red card was a turning point.
There is no question Embolo went to ground with no contact from Paredes; however, he may have been anticipating another heavy challenge as Argentina went largely unpunished throughout for some very physical play.
In total, there were 32 fouls in the game, 14 of them from the Argentines – but no yellow cards were given to the South Americans until extra time.
The upshot is that Switzerland were unable to break their quarter-final curse. They have played six matches in the last eight of major competitions and lost them all.
Switzerland will also rue the absence of key midfielder Johan Manzambi, who had an impressive start to the tournament before missing their final two games with a knee injury.
What comes next?
Argentina will play England in the second semi-final, at 20.00 BST on Wednesday, 15 July in Atlanta.
The victor in that match will then face France or Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
