Argentina reach World Cup semi-finals as Alvarez sinks 10-man Switzerland
-
10'
Goal
Alexis MAC ALLISTER (Argentina) scores!! -
44'
Yellow card
Breel EMBOLO (Switzerland) is booked by -
67'
Goal
Dan NDOYE (Switzerland) scores!! -
72'
Red card
Breel EMBOLO (Switzerland) is booked for -
97'
Yellow card
Thiago ALMADA (Argentina) is booked by -
98'
Yellow card
Lautaro MARTINEZ (Argentina) is booked by -
112'
Goal
Julian ALVAREZ (Argentina) scores!! -
114'
Yellow card
Jose Manuel LOPEZ (Argentina) is booked -
120'+1'
Goal
Lautaro MARTINEZ (Argentina) scores!!
Argentina squad
- Selected
-
3 Nicolas TAGLIAFICO
Defender -
5 Leandro PAREDES
Midfielder -
6 Lisandro MARTINEZ
Defender -
7 Rodrigo DE PAUL
Midfielder -
9 Julian ALVAREZ
Forward -
10 Lionel MESSI
C Forward -
13 Cristian ROMERO
Defender -
20 Alexis MAC ALLISTER
Midfielder -
23 Emiliano MARTINEZ
Goalkeeper -
24 Enzo FERNANDEZ
Midfielder -
26 Nahuel MOLINA
Defender -
1 Juan MUSSO
Goalkeeper -
2 Marcos SENESI
Defender -
4 Gonzalo MONTIEL
Defender -
8 Valentin BARCO
Midfielder -
11 Giovani Lo Celso
Midfielder -
12 Geronimo RULLI
Goalkeeper -
14 Exequiel PALACIOS
Midfielder -
15 Nico GONZALEZ
Midfielder -
16 Thiago ALMADA
Forward -
17 Giuliano SIMEONE
Forward -
18 Nico PAZ
Forward -
19 Nicolas OTAMENDI
Defender -
21 Jose Manuel LOPEZ
Forward -
22 Lautaro MARTINEZ
Forward -
25 Facundo MEDINA
Defender
Switzerland squad
- Selected
-
1 Gregor KOBEL
Goalkeeper -
4 Nico ELVEDI
Defender -
5 Manuel AKANJI
Defender -
6 Denis ZAKARIA
Midfielder -
7 Breel EMBOLO
Forward -
8 Remo FREULER
Midfielder -
10 Granit XHAKA
C Midfielder -
11 Dan NDOYE
Forward -
13 Ricardo RODRIGUEZ
Defender -
15 Djibril SOW
Midfielder -
22 Fabian RIEDER
Midfielder -
2 Miro MUHEIM
Defender -
3 Silvan WIDMER
Defender -
12 Yvon MVOGO
Goalkeeper -
14 Ardon JASHARI
Midfielder -
16 Christian FASSNACHT
Forward -
17 Ruben VARGAS
Forward -
18 Eray COEMERT
Defender -
19 Noah OKAFOR
Forward -
20 Michel AEBISCHER
Midfielder -
21 Marvin KELLER
Goalkeeper -
23 Zeki AMDOUNI
Forward -
24 Aurele AMENDA
Defender -
25 Luca JAQUEZ
Defender -
26 Cedric ITTEN
Forward - Full squad
-
9 Johan MANZAMBI
Midfielder
Argentina have reached the semi-finals of the 2026 World Cup after beating 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in Saturday's quarter-final in Kansas City. Julian Alvarez struck the decisive goal in extra time, with the Swiss numerical disadvantage proving telling as the defending champions pushed through in the additional period. The result keeps Lionel Messi's side on course to defend the title they won in 2022.
Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring early to put Argentina ahead, before Switzerland fought back to level and force the tie into extra time. Alvarez then restored the lead with a spectacular finish during the additional 30 minutes, with Argentina ultimately running out 3-1 winners. Despite the eventual margin, the closely contested nature of the match underlined the strength of the Swiss, who had impressed on their run through the tournament before being reduced to ten men.
- Argentina beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 to reach the semi-finals.
- Alvarez scored the decisive goal in extra time.
- Holders Messi's side stay on course to defend their title.
New here? Start with this
Argentina's men's football team is at the 2026 World Cup, the sport's biggest international tournament, held this time in the United States, Mexico and Canada. The side is one of the favourites, largely because of captain Lionel Messi, widely regarded as one of the greatest players ever, and they go into this stage as the reigning champions after winning the previous World Cup in 2022. Switzerland, their opponents, are a smaller footballing nation that had been performing well above expectations before this match.
The quarter-final is a knockout stage: lose, and a team is out of the tournament entirely, with no second chance. Reaching the semi-finals therefore matters a great deal, as it puts a team just two wins away from the final and the chance to be crowned world champions.
Coverage
- BBC Sport — Alvarez’s stunning strike gives Argentina lead against 10-man Switzerland
- Fox News — Argentina survives another scare courtesy of Switzerland to advance to World Cup semifinals
- The Guardian — Argentina beat 10-man Switzerland in extra time to reach World Cup semi-finals