Kansas City, July 12, 2026 — Argentina survived a Swiss scare in sweltering Kansas City, beating 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to book a blockbuster World Cup semi-final showdown with England. Julián Álvarez produced a moment of magic in extra time to break Swiss hearts and keep the reigning champions’ hopes of back-to-back titles alive.
A Tale of Two Halves
The match started perfectly for Argentina. Just 10 minutes in, Lionel Messi swung in a pinpoint corner and Alexis Mac Allister flicked home at the near post — his first goal of the tournament. It seemed the Albiceleste were cruising toward the semi-finals.
But Switzerland refused to roll over. They grew into the game and deservedly equalized in the 67th minute. Nottingham Forest winger Dan Ndoye cut in from the left, played a slick one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez, and slotted through the legs of Emiliano Martínez. Suddenly, the world champions were on the back foot.
Emiliano Martínez was forced into several big saves — denying Ndoye at close range and keeping out headers from Embolo and a long-range Xhaka rocket. Argentina went nearly 90 minutes without another shot on target after Mac Allister’s opener.
The Turning Point: Embolo’s Controversial Red Card
Everything changed in the second half. Swiss star striker Breel Embolo went down under a challenge from Leandro Paredes near the halfway line. The referee initially booked Paredes — but VAR called him over for a review under the mistaken identity rule. Replays showed Embolo had clearly simulated contact.
The decision was reversed: Paredes’ yellow was quashed, and Embolo — already on a yellow card — was given a second yellow for diving and sent off. The Swiss striker left the pitch in tears as Swiss fans erupted in fury.
Down to 10 men, Switzerland parked the bus and looked destined for penalties as the match went into extra time.
Álvarez’s Moment of Genius
Just when it seemed like the game was heading to a shootout, Julián Álvarez produced a moment of pure brilliance. Picking up the ball 25 yards out, the Manchester City forward curled an unstoppable effort past Swiss keeper Gregor Kobel into the top corner. The Kansas City crowd exploded.
Switzerland pushed desperately for an equalizer, but were caught on the counter-attack as Lautaro Martínez slotted home to make it 3-1 and seal Argentina’s place in the last four.
Records Tumble
Despite not scoring, Lionel Messi still made history — becoming the first man to register 10 assists in World Cup history. Argentina also set a new record for the longest sequence of scoring multiple goals in a World Cup match (11 consecutive games), beating Uruguay’s run from 1930-1954.
Upcoming Schedule
- Semi-final 1: France vs Spain — July 14, Dallas (20:00 BST)
- Semi-final 2: Argentina vs England — July 15, Atlanta (20:00 BST)
- Final: July 19, New York New Jersey Stadium (20:00 BST)
FAQ
Why was Breel Embolo sent off?
Embolo was shown a second yellow card for diving (simulation). The referee initially booked Leandro Paredes for a foul, but VAR reviewed the incident and determined Embolo had simulated contact. Under the mistaken identity rule, Paredes’ booking was rescinded and Embolo received a second yellow for the dive.
When is the Argentina vs England semi-final?
The semi-final will be played on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at the Atlanta Stadium. Kick-off is at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 02:00 VN+1). The match will be broadcast live on BBC One in the UK.
Who scored for Argentina?
Alexis Mac Allister (10′), Julián Álvarez (98′), and Lautaro Martínez (112′) scored for Argentina. Dan Ndoye (67′) scored Switzerland’s equalizer.