In a thrilling encounter, Julián Alvarez netted a stunning goal as Argentina overcame a 10-man Switzerland, triumphing 3-1 after extra time on Sunday AEST. This victory sets the stage for a highly anticipated World Cup semi-final against longtime adversaries England.
The South American team’s supporters, who packed the stands in Kansas City, erupted in cheers early in the match, celebrating as Lionel Messi assisted Alexis Mac Allister for the opening goal within the first ten minutes.
Switzerland equalized in the middle of the second half with a goal from Dan Ndoye, but their fortunes took a turn for the worse shortly after when Breel Embolo was dismissed for a second yellow card due to simulation.
As the game pushed into extra time, Switzerland staved off numerous Argentine advances until Alvarez delivered a spectacular shot into the top corner in the 112th minute.
Lautaro Martínez capped off the victory with a late third goal.
The hard-fought victory for Lionel Scaloni’s men at the Arrowhead Stadium means the top four teams in the FIFA rankings will contest the semi-finals of the 2026 tournament.
Argentina are now unbeaten in their past 12 World Cup matches as they attempt to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain their World Cup crown.
The South Americans swept through the group phase but struggled past minnows Cabo Verde and needed a spectacular comeback against Egypt.
Saturday’s game was another attritional affair against a Swiss team seeking to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time.
Argentina took the lead with their first effort on target when Liverpool midfielder Mac Allister rose between Djibril Sow and Embolo to glance a header into the far corner.
Messi was the provider from a corner, taking his tally of assists across six World Cups to 10.
He is also joint top of the Golden Boot standings with eight goals, level with French forward Kylian Mbappé, but he did not find the net on Saturday.
The Swiss struggled to counter-punch but had a good chance on the half hour when goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez was quickly off his line to deny Embolo.
Argentina failed to muster another effort on target before the break, with Switzerland outpassing the world champions.
The game struggled to catch fire early in the second half, but Murat Yakin’s men warmed to their task and got their deserved reward in the 67th minute, when Ndoye swept home following a clever ball from Ricardo Rodriguez.
Five minutes later, Switzerland shot themselves in the foot when Embolo, who had been booked in the first half, threw himself to the ground and was dismissed following a VAR check.
Mac Allister headed wide with the goal at his mercy as the clock ticked down and Messi sent a curling shot narrowly wide, but Switzerland held on to force extra-time.
They continued to repel constant attacks in the first period of extra-time.
But Argentina finally broke Switzerland’s brave resistance with Alvarez’s moment of magic, which was celebrated by the whole squad, who were on the pitch again minutes later following Martinez’s strike.
Now the winners will turn their attention to the challenge of facing England in Atlanta on Wednesday after Thomas Tuchel’s men overcame Norway 2-1 earlier on Saturday.
The history of matches between England and Argentina is peppered with flashpoints on the pitch, set against a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, known in Spanish as the Malvinas, in the South Atlantic Ocean.
Britain sent a military taskforce in 1982 to reclaim the islands after Argentine troops invaded.
Four years later, Argentina secured a 2-1 victory over England at the Estadio Azteca with goals from Diego Maradona — one the infamous “Hand of God” goal and the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the best ever.
The teams have faced each other twice in World Cups since 1986 — Argentina won on penalties in 1998 while England gained revenge four years later.
England prevail as Norway go down swinging
Jude Bellingham was England’s hero once more by scoring twice as the Three Lions came from behind to end Norway’s historic run and reach the World Cup semi-finals with a 2-1 win after extra time on Sunday.
In their first-ever quarter-final, Andreas Schjelderup fired Norway into a shock lead in the searing Miami heat.
But Bellingham, who also netted a double in a memorable 3-2 over Mexico in the last 16, produced a moment of magic to equalise just before half-time.
Norway had a second goal controversially disallowed after a VAR review in the second half for a foul by Erling Haaland as both sets of players were pushed to their physical limits by going to extra-time.
Bellingham came up with another big moment as he pounced on an error by Ørjan Nyland to sweep in his sixth goal of the tournament.
England will face Argentina or Switzerland on Wednesday for the chance to reach a first World Cup final in 60 years.
Haaland’s spectacular run of scoring in his last 14 competitive matches for Norway came to an end against the land of his birth, with Norway’s exhausted talisman replaced at half-time of extra-time.
Having failed to win a World Cup knockout game after conceding first since the final of 1966 before this tournament, England have now done so twice in three matches.
Harry Kane’s heroics prevented an embarrassing early exit to the Democratic Republic of Congo in the last 32.
But it was Bellingham who has stood up in the past two matches to keep England in the hunt to end their long wait for major tournament glory despite far from flawless performances.
The 5pm local time kick-off in Miami, Florida meant that temperatures remained above 30 degrees throughout, with intense humidity making for draining conditions for the players.
The heat looked as if it would spoil the spectacle in the first half.
FIFA World Cup 2026™ at SBS On Demand: get match ready.
Thomas Tuchel’s men were rattled as England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford saved low from Martin Ødegaard before Alexander Sørloth wasted a glorious chance when he failed to feed Haaland and instead went for goal himself.
Almost immediately, Bellingham pulled his team out of the mire once more.
Bellingham had been well marshalled until he collected Anthony Gordon’s pass, burst into the box at speed and then slotted home on his weaker left foot.
Momentum was suddenly in England’s favour, and they nearly went into the break ahead.
Bellingham was this time the creator for Kane, who dinked the ball coolly over Nyland, but had just drifted offside.
Tuchel introduced Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze at the break for the ineffective Noni Madueke and Declan Rice — the Arsenal midfielder had been suffering with illness earlier in the week.
But those changes left England light in midfield, and they were left hanging on at spells in the second half.
Torbjørn Heggem made the most of some sloppy defending to turn in at the back post, but Haaland was penalised for a push on new Manchester City teammate Elliott Anderson before the corner had been taken, and the goal was disallowed.
Norway were inches away from a winner again when Kristoffer Ajer hit the bar after England failed to deal with another dangerous corner.
Both sides visibly wilted in the energy-sapping conditions late on but were forced to endure an extra 30 minutes.
Nyland had been Norway’s supporting act in the Round of 16 win over Brazil with a series of saves before Haaland struck twice late on for a landmark victory.
This time the Sevilla goalkeeper was the villain as he spilled substitute Morgan Rogers’ shot from distance and Bellingham pounced and scored.
England were awarded a penalty moments later, but this time VAR intervened in Norway’s favour to deem Djed Spence had initiated contact inside the box.
Yet, Norway’s spirit was already crushed, epitomised by a slouched Haaland watching on from the bench with nothing more to give.
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