Defending champions Argentina kept their FIFA World Cup title defence alive with a dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in the quarter-finals, securing a place in the semi-finals against England.
Argentina took the lead in the 10th minute when Alexis Mac Allister headed home a corner delivered by Lionel Messi. Switzerland fought back in the second half, with Dan Ndoye equalising in the 67th minute to set up a tense finish.
The match turned in Argentina’s favour after Swiss forward Breel Embolo was sent off in the 72nd minute following a VAR review, reducing Switzerland to 10 men. Despite their numerical advantage, Argentina had to wait until extra time before breaking the deadlock.
Julián Álvarez scored a stunning long-range goal in the 112th minute to restore Argentina’s lead, before Lautaro Martínez sealed the victory with a late goal deep into extra time. Messi also made World Cup history by registering his 10th career World Cup assist, the most by any player in the tournament’s history.
The victory keeps Argentina’s hopes of becoming the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title. They will now face England in a blockbuster semi-final.
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