Argentina survived a major scare against stubborn 10-man Switzerland, needing extra time and late goals from Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez to grind out a 3-1 victory and book a place in the FIFA World Cup semi-finals on Saturday.
Lionel Scaloni’s side looked destined for a penalty shootout after being frustrated for long periods by the Swiss, but Alvarez’s stunning strike in the 112th minute finally broke the resistance before Martínez sealed victory in stoppage time of extra time.
The defending champions will now face England in Atlanta on Wednesday, while Spain and France meet in the other semi-final.
The last four has produced a historic line-up, with all four remaining teams having previously lifted the World Cup trophy. It is only the third time in tournament history that the semi-finals have featured four former champions, after the 1930 and 1990 editions, and the first time since FIFA introduced its world rankings in 1992 that the top four ranked nations — Argentina, Spain, France and England — have all reached the semi-finals.
Argentina’s progress, however, was far from straightforward.
Lionel Messi, who had scored in each of Argentina’s previous nine World Cup matches, endured one of his quietest evenings of the tournament as Switzerland’s disciplined defence repeatedly closed down the space around the captain. Although the 39-year-old extended his record tally to 10 World Cup assists with the opening goal, his remarkable scoring streak finally came to an end.
Switzerland had arrived in Kansas City unbeaten throughout qualifying and the finals, having never trailed in any of their previous 11 matches, and they again proved difficult opponents.
Argentina nonetheless struck first in the 10th minute. Messi swung in a dangerous corner from the left and Alexis Mac Allister rose between defenders to glance a header beyond goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
The early breakthrough did little to settle the South Americans. Switzerland dominated possession for long stretches of the first half, with Granit Xhaka dictating play from midfield, although clear chances remained scarce.
The Swiss returned after the break with greater urgency and twice forced Emiliano Martínez into action before finally finding their reward in the 67th minute.
Dan Ndoye exchanged passes with Ricardo Rodríguez down the left flank before racing into the area and curling an excellent finish into the far corner to level the score.
The momentum, however, shifted dramatically five minutes later in controversial circumstances.
Initially, referee Joao Pinheiro booked Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes for a challenge on Breel Embolo. Following a VAR review, the decision was overturned and Embolo, already on a yellow card, was penalised for simulation and sent off, leaving Switzerland to play the remaining stages with 10 men.
Even with their numerical advantage, Argentina struggled to break down the resilient Swiss backline. Messi came closest in regulation time, bending a trademark effort narrowly wide in stoppage time, while Kobel denied him from close range in extra time.
Just as penalties loomed, Alvarez produced the decisive moment.
After Kobel parried another Messi attempt, the ball fell kindly to the forward on the edge of the area. Alvarez shifted onto his right foot and unleashed a magnificent curling strike into the top corner, sending the overwhelmingly Argentine crowd into celebration.
Switzerland threw players forward in desperation, but Argentina delivered the final blow in the 121st minute. Martínez launched a counterattack, fed Thiago Almada and then calmly converted the rebound after Kobel saved the substitute’s initial effort.
For Messi and Argentina, the dream of retaining their crown remains alive, though Scaloni admitted afterwards that his side will need significant improvement before facing England in a heavyweight semi-final clash.
