Image source: Alamy Stock Photo
Julian Alvarez scored a sensational goal to help Argentina overcome 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in a 2026 World Cup Quarterfinal in Kansas City on Sunday.
La Albiceleste secured yet another dramatic victory in the knockout phase of this tournament to set up a showdown with England in the second Semifinal, which will be played in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Argentina got off to a flyer and claimed the lead as early as the 10th minute, with Lionel Messi’s corner kick picking out Alexis Mac Allister, who glanced a header beyond the left hand of Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel for 1-0.
Just past the half-hour mark Switzerland threatened to bring themselves level, after good work from Dan Ndoye to give Breel Embolo a sight of goal, but goalkeeper Emi Martinez made a brave save at the feet of the attacker.
Embolo had another chance on the hour mark, directing a header on target from a lofted cross, but his effort lacked the pace to get the better of Martinez.
The Argentine goalkeeper made a far better save five minutes later, diving low to his left to keep out a skidding drive from Granit Xhaka, as the Nati sought a way back into the game.
And the Europeans duly capitalised on their pressure in the 68th minute, with Ndoye playing a one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez before scoring from a tight angle – through the legs of Martinez – to make it 1-1.
With just under 20 minutes of regulation time remaining Switzerland were reduced to 10 men, as Embolo picked up a second yellow card for a clear case of simulation – determined by VAR review.
La Albiceleste used their numerical advantage and dominated, almost claiming the victory in injury time when Messi worked space on the edge of the box and sent a curling effort just wide of the target.
The 90 plus minutes ended 1-1, and Argentina continued their dominance through the extra half hour, finally breaking through in the 112th minute via a superb strike from Julian Alvarez, who curled a long-range shot into the top corner for 2-1 – giving Kobel no chance whatsoever.
And the South Americans rounded off the scoring at the death when Lautaro Martinez finished off a counter attacking move, with Switzerland having thrown men forward in a desperate attempt to get back in the game.
Argentina (1) (1) 3 (A. Mac Allister 10’, J. Alvarez 112’, L. Martinez 120+1’)
Switzerland (0) (1) 1 (D. Ndoye 68’)
Argentina: E. Martinez, N. Molina (G. Montiel 85’), C. Romero (N. Otamendi 106’), Li. Martinez, N. Tagliafico (N. Gonzalez 78’), L. Paredes, R. de Paul (L. Martinez 85’), A. Mac Allister, E. Fernandez (T. Almada 91’), L. Messi, J. Alvarez
Switzerland: G. Kobel, D. Zakaria (A. Jashari 96’), N. Elvedi, M. Akanji, R. Rodriguez (E. Comert 90+6’), R. Freuler (R. Vargas 115’), G. Xhaka, F. Rieder (M. Muheim 86’), D. Sow (S. Widmer 86’), D. Ndoye (Z. Amdouni 86’), B. Embolo
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