New Delhi: Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 after overcoming a spirited Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in a dramatic quarter-final at Kansas City Stadium. Extra-time goals from Julián Álvarez and substitute Lautaro Martínez sealed the victory after the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of regulation.
The win was particularly significant for Argentina as it marked the first match of the tournament in which captain Lionel Messi did not score, yet the team still found a way to progress through collective effort.
Argentina took the lead in the 10th minute when midfielder Alexis Mac Allister headed home from a perfectly delivered Messi corner. Switzerland responded strongly throughout the match and restored parity in the second half through Dan Ndoye, who fired an impressive finish past goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez after a swift attacking move.
The turning point came in the 72nd minute when Swiss striker Breel Embolo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for a foul inside Argentina’s penalty area. Reduced to ten men for the remainder of the contest, Switzerland shifted its focus to defending and managed to hold Argentina until the end of normal time.
Despite the numerical advantage, Argentina struggled to break through until extra time. In the 102nd minute, Julián Álvarez produced a superb long-range strike from outside the penalty area to give the South Americans a crucial 2-1 lead. Deep into stoppage time of extra time, substitute Lautaro Martínez converted from close range after a rebound to seal a 3-1 victory and send Argentina into the last four.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez also played a decisive role, producing several outstanding saves to deny Embolo and preserve Argentina’s hopes during key moments of the match.
Argentina wore black armbands in memory of former captain Antonio Rattín, who passed away on July 11 at the age of 89.
The reigning champions will now face England in the second World Cup semi-final on July 15 in Los Angeles.
After the match, Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged that his side had been pushed to its limits by a physically strong Swiss team and admitted there were areas requiring improvement despite the victory. Match-winner Julián Álvarez said Argentina never stopped believing, adding that the squad remains fully focused on defending its World Cup title and is determined to give everything in the final two matches of the tournament.
