Argentina advance to World Cup semifinal after defeating Switzerland

By Rohan Gupta — 13 July 2026 — 3 min read

Argentina secured their spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinals by defeating Switzerland 3-1 in extra time. The victory sets up a semifinal clash against England.

The match, held in Kansas City Stadium, saw Argentina take an early lead in the 10th minute. Alexis Mac Allister scored with a header from a corner delivered by Lionel Messi. Despite the early advantage, Argentina did not maintain a dominant performance throughout the game.

Switzerland managed to level the score in the 67th minute through winger Dan Ndoye, who slotted home from close range. This equalizer followed a period where the Swiss controlled the midfield, and Argentina’s defense appeared to be under pressure.

Controversial Red Card and Game Shift

A significant turning point occurred in the 72nd minute when Swiss striker Breel Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation. Already carrying a yellow card, Embolo’s attempt to draw a foul on Leandro Paredes was identified as simulation by VAR, leading to his expulsion from the game. The Portuguese referee, Joao Pinheiro, was within his rights to issue the marching orders after reviewing the incident.

The red card drastically altered the dynamics of the match. With Switzerland reduced to ten men, they adopted a defensive strategy, playing with two lines of four to survive for nearly 50 minutes. While Argentina attacked, their play during this phase was described as uninspiring, marked by slow passing and uninventive crosses.

Even Lionel Messi, by his own high standards, had an off-day, missing a chance that was initially flagged offside but might have been overturned by VAR, and another shot that narrowly missed the target. Manuel Akanji and his teammates in the Swiss defense managed to contain Argentina’s attacks with relative ease for a period.

Alvarez’s Decisive Strike and Semifinal Outlook

The deadlock was finally broken in extra time by Julian Alvarez. In the 112th minute, Alvarez unleashed a powerful and precise strike from 25 yards out, which found the top right corner of the goal. This goal, his first in this World Cup, proved to be decisive.

As Switzerland pushed forward in the final moments, leaving gaps in their defense, Lautaro Martinez capitalized on a counterattack. Following an initial shot by Thiago Almada that deflected into his path, Martinez scored a third goal deep into stoppage time in extra time, sealing the 3-1 victory for Argentina.

The win means Argentina will now face England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta. England also needed extra time to defeat Norway 2-1 in their quarterfinal match. The other semifinal will see Spain play France on Tuesday.

This tournament has been taxing for Argentina, who were also pushed to extra time in the round of 32 by Cape Verde. The defending champions are aiming to become only the third nation to successfully defend a World Cup title, a feat previously achieved by Italy and Brazil.

The upcoming semifinal against England carries historical significance, with a 40-year-old rivalry adding an extra layer of intensity to the match.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Rohan Gupta

Sports Reporter