Argentina are into the last four of the 2026 World Cup, and it took two moments of extra-time quality to get them there. Switzerland had been excellent across 120 minutes in Kansas City, equalising after going behind early and pushing the champions to the absolute limit. But Julián Álvarez struck in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martínez added a third moments before the final whistle to seal a 3-1 win and keep alive the dream of Argentina defending their world title.
Messi Sets the Tone Early
Argentina began the match with the kind of authority you would expect from world champions. Lionel Messi, pulling strings from the right side of midfield, drew a corner in the 10th minute and then delivered it himself — a curling ball to the near post that Alexis Mac Allister attacked with conviction, his header arrowing into the net. It was a goal straight off the training ground: premeditated, precise, and brilliantly executed. Switzerland, who had been composed and well-organised coming into the quarterfinal, suddenly had a mountain to climb against the tightest defence in the competition.
Switzerland Refuse to Fold
What followed was one of the more remarkable stretches in this World Cup. Rather than sitting deep and protecting their lead, Argentina continued to press, which left spaces that Switzerland exploited with sharp, direct football. The equaliser came through Dan Ndoye, who showed terrific composure to slip a shot under the outstretched leg of Emiliano Martínez. The goal opened the match right up. Switzerland had clearly done their homework on Argentina's defensive shape, and the final 30 minutes of regulation time were genuinely nervous for the champions. It ended 1-1, and extra time beckoned.
Álvarez Breaks Swiss Hearts
Extra time was tense and exhausting. Both sides looked tired, both sets of coaches were making tactical adjustments at every break in play. Then, with the clock showing 112 minutes, Julián Álvarez received the ball on the edge of the area, showed it to his marker, created half a yard of space, and sent a right-footed rocket into the top far corner. The finish was extraordinary — the kind of goal that wins matches at any level, let alone a World Cup quarterfinal. Lautaro Martínez added a third in the final minutes to confirm the scoreline and silence any lingering Swiss hope.
Argentina March On Toward Messi's Final Chapter
Argentina face England in the semifinal on Wednesday in Atlanta, and that match will carry the weight of history the moment the teams walk out. Messi, widely expected to retire from international football after this tournament, will face an England side built around Jude Bellingham. The narratives write themselves. What matters tactically is whether Argentina's midfield can control possession the way they failed to for long stretches against Switzerland. On the evidence of this match, Switzerland were the better team for roughly 70 minutes. England are a more complete outfit than that.
Match facts: Argentina 3–1 Switzerland (AET) | FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinal | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri | Scorers: Mac Allister 10', Álvarez 112', L. Martínez 119' (ARG); Ndoye 67' (SUI) | July 11, 2026
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