Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to reach World Cup semi-final

Argentina advanced to the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland, sealing their place in the last four with a dramatic clash against England. The match, played at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, featured a controversial red card for Switzerland’s Breel Embolo, a pivotal goal from Julian Alvarez, and a resilient performance from the South Americans to overcome a 10-man opposition.

The decisive moment came in the 112th minute when Alvarez curled a long-range strike into the top corner, breaking Swiss resistance after a tense 120 minutes. Lautaro Martinez added a second goal in the 121st minute, completing the 3-1 win. Argentina’s early advantage came in the 10th minute when Alexis Mac Allister headed in a corner from Lionel Messi, marking the first of several key contributions from the captain. Switzerland equalized in the 67th minute through Dan Ndoye, but their hopes were dashed moments later when Embolo was sent off for a second yellow card following a VAR review, as reported by tsn.ca.

The red card, awarded under FIFA’s “mistaken identity” protocol, sparked immediate controversy. The rule, which allows VAR to intervene when a player is incorrectly booked, led to Embolo’s dismissal after a challenge by Argentina’s Leandro Paredes. Swiss coach Murat Yakin condemned the decision, calling it “completely not understandable” and accusing the referee of “destroying the game,” as tsn.ca reported. Players like midfielder Remo Freuler echoed the frustration, questioning the application of the rule and its impact on the match’s outcome.

Switzerland’s 10-man side defended valiantly, forcing extra time after repelling Argentina’s relentless attacks. The Swiss, who had conceded no goals in the knockout phase, struggled to maintain their composure after the red card. Argentina’s persistence paid off as Alvarez’s strike in the 112th minute sent the crowd into raptures, with Martinez sealing the win moments later. The victory extended Argentina’s unbeaten streak in World Cup matches to 12 games, a run that includes their 2022 title triumph, according to sbs.com.au.

The semi-final clash against England promises to be a historic encounter, with the two nations meeting for the first time in 24 years. Their rivalry is steeped in cultural and political tension, dating back to the 1982 Falklands War and the iconic 1986 World Cup quarter-final, where Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal and a solo strike secured a 2-1 win for Argentina. England, meanwhile, reached the semi-finals after a hard-fought extra-time victory over Norway, with Jude Bellingham scoring twice to secure their place, as detailed in sbs.com.au.

For Switzerland, the defeat marked the end of their best-ever World Cup campaign, as they aimed to reach the semi-finals for the first time. Despite the heartbreak, coach Yakin praised his team’s effort, stating, “My boys are the real heroes. They put all their heart and passion into their performance,” as tsn.ca reported. The Swiss, who had topped Group B and advanced through penalties, will leave Kansas City with a mix of pride and lingering injustice over the controversial decision.

Argentina’s path to the semi-finals has been anything but straightforward. After a nervy 3-2 comeback against Egypt in the Round of 16, the team faced a stern test against Switzerland’s organized defense. The victory sets up a high-stakes encounter with England, with both sides eager to end long waits for a World Cup final appearance. For Argentina, it is another chance to cement their legacy, while England seeks to end a 60-year drought in the tournament’s final stages, as noted in usatoday.com.