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Leo Messi’s Argentina survived another almighty scare before extra-time goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez secured a 3-1 victory over 10-man Switzerland to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals.
Alexis Mac Allister had given the defending champions an early lead with a header from Lionel Messi’s corner in the 10th minute. But Dan Ndoye equalised for Switzerland in the 67th minute with a composed finish from a tight angle.
The match turned in the 72nd minute when Breel Embolo received a controversial second yellow card for simulation following a VAR review. The Swiss striker was sent off after the referee initially booked Leandro Paredes for a foul on Embolo, but reversed the decision after reviewing the footage.
Despite playing with a man advantage for over 50 minutes, Argentina could not find a winner in regular time and were taken to extra time. Julian Alvarez broke the deadlock in the 112th minute with a stunning curling effort into the top corner, before Lautaro Martinez tapped home in the first minute of stoppage time to seal the victory.
The win sets up a mouth-watering semi-final clash with old rivals England on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium .
Switzerland started confidently and created pressure in the opening minutes. But Argentina capitalised on their first real opportunity. In the 10th minute, Messi delivered a precise corner kick to the near post, where Mac Allister rose above his marker to head powerfully into the far corner past Gregor Kobel.
The goal marked Messi’s 10th assist across six World Cups, a new record for the tournament, and his 10th assist to his 10th different teammate.
Switzerland responded positively. In the 32nd minute, Dan Ndoye delivered a delicate through ball to Embolo, who broke free to face Emiliano Martinez, but the Argentine goalkeeper rushed out to close the angle.
Switzerland grew into the game as the half progressed, and Embolo received a yellow card for a frustrated tackle before the interval .
Switzerland pressed harder after the break. In the 65th minute, Ricardo Rodriguez crossed for Djibril Sow, whose header forced a fine save from Martinez. Granit Xhaka then unleashed a 30-metre drive that Martinez had to push around the post.
The pressure paid off in the 67th minute. Rodriguez released Ndoye, who broke into the box and beat Martinez from a tight angle to level the scores.
Just five minutes later, the game changed dramatically. Embolo went down in the penalty area under a challenge from Paredes, appealing for a penalty. Referee Joao Pinheiro initially booked Paredes, but after a VAR review, he determined that Embolo had simulated contact. The Swiss striker was shown a second yellow card and sent off. Replays showed Paredes had made no contact with Embolo. It was the first time since 2006 that a player had been sent off for simulation at a World Cup .
Despite the man advantage, Argentina could not break down Switzerland’s resolute defence. Messi had a curling shot that narrowly missed the post. The match went to extra time.
Argentina dominated possession in extra time. Thiago Almada, who replaced Enzo Fernandez, hit the outside of the post early in the first period.
The breakthrough came in the 112th minute. Alvarez received the ball outside the penalty area, cut inside from the left, and unleashed a curling right-footed strike into the top corner, leaving Kobel with no chance. It was a goal-of-the-tournament contender.
With Switzerland forced to push forward in search of an equaliser, Argentina sealed the victory in the 120th minute. Almada’s shot was blocked by Kobel, and Martinez was on hand to tap home from close range. The final score was 3-1 to Argentina.
