Argentina advanced to the semi-finals on Sunday after defeating 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in extra time. Mac Allister’s early goal was neutralized by the Nati’s resolute comeback.
As early as the tenth minute, when their hero Lionel Messi set up Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal, the South American team’s supporters took over the Kansas City stands.
Dan Ndoye tied the score for Switzerland halfway through the second half, but minutes later, calamity struck when Embolo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation.
Before Alvarez curled a spectacular shot into the top corner in the 112th minute, Switzerland had suppressed wave after wave of attacks in extra time.
With a late third, Lautaro Martinez added glitz.
The top four teams in the FIFA rankings will compete in the 2026 tournament’s semifinals thanks to Lionel Scaloni’s team’s valiant triumph at Arrowhead Stadium.
Argentina is trying to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win the World Cup again after going undefeated in their last 12 games.
The South Americans easily won the group stage, although they had trouble defeating Cape Verde, a minnows, and need an incredible comeback against Egypt.
The match on Saturday was another attritional contest against a Swiss squad hoping to make it to the World Cup semifinals for the first time.
Mac Allister, a midfielder for Liverpool, soared between Djibril Sow and Embolo to tip a header into the far corner, giving Argentina the lead with their first attempt on goal.
Messi scored from a corner, increasing his total number of assists from six World Cups to ten.
Although he failed to score on Saturday, he is tied for first place in the Golden Boot rankings with eight goals, tied with French striker Kylian Mbappe.
Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was fast off his line to deny Embolo on the half-hour mark, but the Swiss struggled to counterpunch.
Before halftime, Argentina was unable to manufacture another goal, and Switzerland defeated the world champions.
Early in the second half, the game struggled to get going, but Murat Yakin’s team persevered and earned their reward in the 67th minute when Ndoye swept home after a deft cross from Ricardo Rodriguez.
Five minutes later, Embolo, who had been booked in the first half, hurled himself to the ground and was sent off after a VAR check, giving Switzerland a head start.
As the clock ran out, Mac Allister headed wide with the goal at his mercy, and Messi just missed a curling attempt, but Switzerland held on to force extra time.
Throughout the first extra-time period, they continued to fend off persistent attacks. However, Alvarez’s magical moment broke Switzerland’s valiant defense, and the entire team rejoiced as they returned to the field minutes after Martinez’s goal.
After defeating Norway 2-1 earlier on Saturday, Thomas Tuchel’s team will now focus on the challenge of playing England in Atlanta on Wednesday.
A protracted sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands, also known as the Malvinas in Spanish, in the South Atlantic Ocean has resulted in numerous on-field flashpoints throughout the history of England vs. Argentina matches.
After Argentine troops conquered the islands in 1982, Britain dispatched a military taskforce to retake them.
At the Estadio Azteca four years later, Argentina defeated England 2-1 thanks to goals by Diego Maradona, including the notorious “Hand of God” goal and a spectacular solo performance that is regarded as one of the greatest ever.
Since 1986, the teams have played each other twice in World Cups. In 1998, Argentina prevailed on penalties, and four years later, England exacted retribution.
