Álvarez Stunner Sends Argentina Past 10-Man Switzerland into England Semi-Final

Argentina beat Switzerland 3–1 after extra time at Kansas City Stadium to reach the World Cup semi-finals and set up a blockbuster clash with England in Atlanta. Alexis Mac Allister headed Lionel Messi's corner on 10 minutes to end Switzerland's 17-hour unbeaten run at these finals, but Dan Ndoye levelled on 67 minutes after combining with Ricardo Rodríguez down the left.

Breel Embolo was sent off five minutes later for simulation under a second yellow card, leaving Murat Yakin's side a man down for almost 50 minutes. Argentina finished with 59% possession, 22 shots and seven on target to Switzerland's 11 and five, but needed Julián Álvarez's curling 112th-minute strike and Lautaro Martínez's 120+1st-minute finish after Thiago Almada's effort was parried by Gregor Kobel to avoid penalties.

Argentina advance to face England on Wednesday — a rematch of their 2022 quarter-final that La Albiceleste won on penalties. Switzerland bow out in their best World Cup campaign since 1954, having gone behind for the first time in the entire qualifying cycle and tournament before Embolo's dismissal swung the tie back toward the defending champions.