Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals on Saturday after defeating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in another dramatic knockout encounter.
Lionel Messi helped Argentina make the perfect start, delivering a corner that Alexis Mac Allister headed home in the 10th minute. The assist was Messi’s 10th in World Cup history, with each one setting up a different teammate.
Switzerland gradually grew into the contest and deservedly equalised through Dan Ndoye, whose close-range finish forced the quarterfinal into a tense final stretch.
The momentum shifted in Argentina’s favour when Swiss striker Breel Embolo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card following a VAR review, leaving Switzerland to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
Despite dominating possession, Argentina could not find a winner in normal time. The breakthrough finally came in the 112th minute, when Julián Álvarez curled a superb right-footed strike into the top corner.
Lautaro Martínez sealed the victory in the 121st minute, finishing off a late counterattack as Switzerland pushed forward in search of another equaliser.
Although Messi failed to score, ending his remarkable streak of goals in nine consecutive World Cup matches. Argentina advanced to the last four, where they will face England on Wednesday in Atlanta.