Argentina survived a gritty battle against 10-man Switzerland in Kansas City, winning 2-1 after extra time to book a semi-final clash with England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
A Night of Drama in the Heartland
The reigning world champions entered the match as heavy favorites but found themselves pushed to the limit by a resilient Swiss side in sweltering conditions at Kansas City. The game had everything — early goals, VAR controversy, a red card, and a moment of pure brilliance that decided the tie.
Julian Alvarez emerged as the hero for Argentina, curling an unstoppable 25-yard shot past Gregor Kobel in the 105th minute to settle a match that had swung back and forth under the Kansas heat.
How It Unfolded
Argentina started brightly. Just ten minutes in, Lionel Messi’s corner found Alexis Mac Allister at the near post, who flicked home a header to give La Albiceleste the lead. It seemed like the start of a comfortable evening for Lionel Scaloni’s side.
But Switzerland grew into the game. Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye proved a constant threat, and his equalizer in the 67th minute was well-deserved. Cutting in from the left, Ndoye played a sharp one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez before calmly slotting through the legs of Emiliano Martinez.
The Turning Point: Embolo Sent Off for Diving
The match turned dramatically when Swiss striker Breel Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation. Initially, Leandro Paredes was booked for what appeared to be a foul on Embolo near the halfway line. However, VAR called the referee to check under the mistaken identity rule — replays showed Embolo had clearly simulated contact.
The Paredes booking was rescinded. Embolo, already on a yellow, was sent off to the dismay of the Swiss bench and left the field in tears.
Despite being down to 10 men, Switzerland defended heroically and pushed for a late equalizer after Alvarez’s strike. But Argentina sealed the win on the counter-attack as Lautaro Martinez slotted home in stoppage time.
Records and Milestones
Argentina has now scored in 15 consecutive World Cup matches and netted at least twice in each of their last 11 — a new World Cup record, surpassing Uruguay’s streak from 1930 to 1954. Lionel Messi also added a historic milestone, becoming the first player to register 10 assists in World Cup history.
For Switzerland, the quarter-final curse continues. They have now played six quarter-finals in major competitions and lost them all.
Upcoming Matches
- Semi-Final 1: France vs Spain
- Semi-Final 2: Argentina vs England — Wednesday, July 15, 8:00 PM BST (3:00 PM ET) at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is the Argentina vs England semi-final?
A: The match kicks off at 8:00 PM BST (3:00 PM ET) on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Q: Who will Argentina face if they beat England?
A: The winner faces either France or Spain in the 2026 World Cup final.
Q: Why was Breel Embolo sent off?
A: Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation (diving) after VAR review overturned a mistaken identity ruling, showing he had faked contact from Leandro Paredes.