Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the semi finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after defeating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in a tense quarter final encounter.
La Albiceleste were pushed all the way by a resilient Swiss side before their superior quality eventually told in the closing stages of extra time, keeping alive their quest to defend the title they won in Qatar four years ago.
Alexis Mac Allister handed Argentina the lead in the first half after finishing off a well-worked move created by captain Lionel Messi. The assist was Messi’s first of the tournament, adding to his remarkable tally of eight goals in the competition.
Switzerland responded strongly after the break, with Dan Ndoye drawing the Europeans level in the 68th minute to force an intense finish. Despite creating several opportunities, neither side could find a winner in regulation time as the contest headed into extra time.
Argentina Punish Ten-Man Switzerland After Extra Time
The turning point came moments after Switzerland’s equaliser when striker Breel Embolo was sent off following a VAR review.
Initially, referee officials had shown a yellow card to Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes following the incident. However, after reviewing the footage, the decision was overturned and Embolo, who had already been booked earlier, received a second yellow card and was dismissed.
Reduced to ten men, Switzerland defended courageously for the remainder of normal time and frustrated the South Americans to take the contest into an additional 30 minutes.
Their resistance finally crumbled in the second period of extra time. Julián Álvarez restored Argentina’s lead in the 112th minute before Lautaro Martínez sealed victory deep into stoppage time with a clinical finish in the 120th minute to end Switzerland’s impressive World Cup journey.
The victory sends Argentina into consecutive FIFA World Cup semi finals after lifting the trophy in Qatar in 2022. It is also their third semi final appearance in the last four editions of the tournament, with their only failure to reach the last four during that period coming in the 2018 quarter finals against France.
Messi Chasing More World Cup History
Although Lionel Messi failed to add to his goal tally, the Argentina captain continued to influence proceedings with another decisive contribution.
His assist for Mac Allister means the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner remains level with France captain Kylian Mbappé on eight goals in the race for the Adidas Golden Boot.
Both players are guaranteed at least one more appearance at the tournament, with the losing semi finalists also scheduled to contest the third-place play-off. That gives both superstars another opportunity to strengthen their claims for the competition’s top scorer award.
Argentina have also continued their impressive record under pressure, reaching another World Cup semi final through a blend of experience, attacking depth and defensive resilience. Lionel Scaloni’s side are now just two victories away from becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup.
England Await as Switzerland Bow Out
Switzerland exited the tournament after producing one of their finest World Cup campaigns in recent history. The defeat was their first of the competition after an unbeaten run that had carried them into the quarter finals.
It marked Switzerland’s first appearance at this stage of the FIFA World Cup since the 1954 tournament on home soil. Their famous 7-5 defeat to Austria in that competition remains the highest-scoring match in World Cup history, while victory over Argentina would have sent the Swiss into their first ever World Cup semi final.
Argentina will now face England in a mouthwatering semi final on 15 July at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
England secured their place in the last four earlier after coming from behind to defeat Norway 2-1. Jude Bellingham scored both goals for Thomas Tuchel’s side, including the decisive strike in extra time, as the Three Lions reached another World Cup semi final.
The meeting between Argentina and England revives one of international football’s greatest rivalries, with both nations sharing a long history of memorable World Cup encounters. Argentina will be seeking a place in a second successive final, while England are chasing their first World Cup final appearance since winning the tournament in 1966.
The other semi final will see European heavyweights France and Spain face off on 14 July for the first place in the final. With four former world champions still in contention alongside Spain, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is set for a thrilling conclusion as football’s biggest prize moves within touching distance.
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