KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The defending World Cup champions have made a habit of living dangerously in this tournament, and Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium proved no exception. Argentina survived yet another close call, defeating Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to secure a place in the World Cup semifinals.
The quarterfinal match, played before 69,045 spectators on a hot and humid Missouri evening, remained locked at 1-1 through regulation and deep into extra time. Forward Julián Alvarez finally broke the deadlock in the 112th minute, sending a right-footed rocket to the far upper corner of the goal. Forward Lautaro Martínez added an insurance goal in the 121st minute to seal the victory.
Argentina will now face England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta. England also required extra time on Saturday to defeat Norway and advance.
This marked the third consecutive match in which Argentina needed heroics to survive. The Albiceleste required extra time to escape Cape Verde in an earlier round, then mounted a miraculous comeback from a 0-2 deficit against Egypt in the Round of 16. Saturday's quarterfinal tested their resolve once more against a determined Swiss side that refused to concede defeat.
Early Lead Evaporates
Argentina appeared to be in control early when midfielder Alexis Mac Allister headed a Lionel Messi corner kick into the net in the 10th minute. The assist was Messi's 10th career World Cup assist, remarkably all delivered to different players.
However, the defending champions could not extend their advantage despite numerous opportunities in both halves. Switzerland, playing with clinical precision and determination, exploited gaps in Argentina's defense throughout the match. Their persistence paid off when forward Dan Ndoye slipped a shot under the leg of Argentine goalkeeper Gregor Kobel to equalize at 1-1.
Controversial Red Card Shifts Momentum
The match's pivotal moment arrived shortly after Switzerland's equalizer. Swiss forward Breel Embolo received a second yellow card following a video review that showed he had simulated a fall. The second yellow card, combined with a late first-half yellow for a challenge on Argentine midfielder Leandro Paredes, resulted in a red card and ejection.
The devastated Embolo, visibly crying with his face crumpled and head in his hands, had to be escorted off the field by teammates. Switzerland would be forced to play the remainder of the quarterfinal match shorthanded.
The decision immediately sparked debate among analysts and fans regarding whether the punishment fit the offense. While theatrical falls occur frequently in matches, the consequence of forcing Switzerland to play down a player in a World Cup quarterfinal struck some observers as disproportionate.
Messi's Scoring Streak Ends
Among the thousands of fans wearing Lionel Messi jerseys at Arrowhead Stadium, expectations ran high for the 39-year-old forward who has become synonymous with the sport itself. However, Messi's contribution was limited to his early assist. For the first time in 10 World Cup matches, he failed to score a goal, ending a record streak of nine consecutive games with a goal.
Despite the end of his scoring streak, Messi remains the all-time leader in career World Cup goals with 21. He will have two more opportunities to extend that record: the semifinal against England and either the final or third-place playoff match.
Argentina's path to defending their World Cup title continues, though their narrow escapes suggest vulnerability. Whether they can maintain their championship form against England on Wednesday remains the question facing the Albiceleste and their supporters.
