Argentina survived a massive scare against 10-man Switzerland, winning 3-1 after extra time in a pulsating World Cup 2026 quarter-final at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The reigning world champions will now face England in the semi-final on Wednesday, July 15 in Atlanta.
Early Promise, Then a Fight
Argentina looked destined for a comfortable evening when Alexis Mac Allister flicked home Lionel Messi’s corner at the near post after just 10 minutes. It was Mac Allister’s first goal of the tournament and seemingly set the stage for a dominant Argentine display.
But Switzerland refused to buckle. The Swiss grew into the game and deservedly equalised in the 67th minute when Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye cut in from the left, played a neat one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez, and slotted through the legs of Emiliano Martinez. It was Ndoye’s standout moment in a man-of-the-match performance (7.61 rating).
The Turning Point: Embolo’s Dismissal
With the scores level at 1-1, the match exploded into controversy. Switzerland striker Breel Embolo went down under a challenge from Leandro Paredes near the halfway line. The referee initially booked Paredes, but VAR intervened under the mistaken identity rule — replays showed Embolo had clearly simulated contact.
The Paredes booking was quashed. Embolo, already on a yellow card, was shown a second yellow and sent off. The Swiss star left the pitch in tears as Switzerland’s quarter-final curse struck again — they have now lost all six quarter-final matches in major competitions.
Alvarez’s Moment of Magic
With a man advantage, Argentina pressed relentlessly. The breakthrough came in extra time when Julian Alvarez produced a moment of pure brilliance — curling an unstoppable 25-yard effort past Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel. The stadium erupted.
Switzerland pushed for another equaliser, but were caught on the counter-attack as Lautaro Martinez slotted home to seal the victory. Argentina have now scored in 15 consecutive World Cup games, netting at least twice in each of the past 11 — a new World Cup record.
Lionel Messi also added to his legendary collection, becoming the first male player to register 10 assists in World Cup history.
World Cup 2026 — Upcoming Schedule
- Semi-Final 1: France vs Spain — Tuesday, July 14, Dallas (20:00 BST)
- Semi-Final 2: Argentina vs England — Wednesday, July 15, Atlanta (20:00 BST)
- Final: Winner SF1 vs Winner SF2 — Sunday, July 19, New Jersey (20:00 BST)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was Breel Embolo sent off?
Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation (diving) after VAR review showed he went to ground with no contact from Leandro Paredes. The initial yellow card to Paredes was rescinded under the mistaken identity rule.
When and where is the Argentina vs England semi-final?
The match takes place on Wednesday, July 15 at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET) at the Atlanta Stadium. It will be broadcast live on BBC One in the UK.
Who is the favorite to win the 2026 World Cup?
With France, Spain, Argentina, and England in the semi-finals, it remains wide open. Argentina are the defending champions and have shown incredible resilience, while France and Spain boast formidable squads. England under Thomas Tuchel have also looked strong throughout the tournament.