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Agence France-Presse

Julian Alvarez scored a breathtaking goal as Argentina battled past 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra-time on Sunday, setting up a mouthwatering World Cup semi-final against bitter rivals England.
Fans of the South American team dominated the stands in Kansas City and they were celebrating as early as the 10th minute when their hero Lionel Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister’s opener.
Switzerland levelled midway through the second half through Dan Ndoye but minutes later Breel Embolo was sent off after picking up a second yellow card for simulation.
The Swiss snuffed out wave after wave of attacks until Alvarez curled a superb strike into the top corner in the 112th minute.
Lautaro Martinez added gloss with a late third.
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, with France facing Spain in Dallas on Wednesday.
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 crown.

The defending champions swept through the group phase but in the knockout stage they have struggled past minnows Cabo Verde and needed a spectacular comeback against Egypt.
Their last-eight 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 Mbappe, but he did not find the net here.
Switzerland struggled to counter-punch but they had a good chance on the half-hour when Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was quickly off his line to deny Embolo.
Argentina failed to muster another effort on target before the break, with Switzerland outpassing their opponents.
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.
The European team continued to repel constant attacks but Argentina finally broke their 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 Thursday after Thomas Tuchel’s men overcame Norway 2-1 earlier on Sunday.
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 following two goals from Diego Maradona: one the infamous “Hand of God” goal and the other a dazzling solo effort considered one of the best in history.
The teams have faced each other twice in World Cups since that 1986 quarter-final. Argentina won a second-round match on penalties in 1998, while England gained a modicum of revenge with a 1-0 group-stage victory four years later.


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Fifa

Lionel Messi and his Argentina teammates celebrate their World Cup quarter-final victory over Switzerland. Photo: AFP

Argentina’s delirious players and supporters react after Julian Alvarez (No 9) curls home. Photo: Reuters

Jude Bellingham strikes a familiar pose after his winning goal for England against Norway. Photo: Reuters

Andreas Schjelderup’s first-half strike drifts beyond Jordan Pickford in the England goal. Photo: AFP

Thomas Tuchel cannot mask his frustration on the sideline in Miami. Photo: AFP

Mikel Merino (middle) places home his winning goal for Spain past replacement Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Photo: Reuters

Spain coach Luis De La Fuente has won all 13 of his matches at major finals. Photo: Reuters

Sport

Football

Defending champions given run for money before extra-time goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez break 10-man Swiss resistance


Defending champions given run for money before extra-time goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez break 10-man Swiss resistance.


Fifa World Cup 2026

Lionel Messi

Fifa World Cup: Argentina beat Switzerland to book blockbuster England date

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Defending champions given run for money before extra-time goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez break 10-man Swiss resistance

Defending champions given run for money before extra-time goals from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez break 10-man Swiss resistance