Field Level Media
12 Jul 2026, 09:49 GMT+10
(Photo credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images)
Julian Alvarez scored the tiebreaker in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martinez added an insurance goal in stoppage time as defending champion Argentina defeated 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in the World Cup quarterfinals on a hot and humid Saturday night in Kansas City, Mo.
Alexis Mac Allister also tallied, off an assist from Lionel Messi, for Argentina, which will face England in the semifinals Wednesday in Atlanta. England defeated Norway 2-1 in extra time earlier Saturday in Miami Gardens, Fla.
Dan Ndoye scored for Switzerland, which played short-handed from the 72nd minute on after Breel Embolo received a second yellow card and was ejected.
Alvarez's winner came after Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel knocked away an 18-yard strike from Messi, whose streak of scoring in nine straight World Cup matches came to an end.
Jose Manuel Lopez tracked down the rebound in the left wing corner and passed to Alvarez, who was just outside the top left corner of the penalty area. Alvarez took a couple of strides toward the center of the field before unleashing a curling, right-footed shot that found the far upper corner of the net, just out of Kobel's reach.
Martinez clinched the victory in the first minute of stoppage time, converting a rebound after Kobel stopped a shot by Thiago Almada.
Kobel and Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez both made four saves.
Switzerland got the tying goal in the 67th minute following a sustained push.
Ndoye played a give-and-go with Ricardo Rodriguez near the top left corner of the penalty area. Ndoye got the ball back and dribbled to the edge of the 6-yard box before putting a low shot between Martinez's legs as the goalie started to go down.
Switzerland's momentum didn't last long as Embolo received a second yellow card in the 72nd minute, this time for simulation. Referee Joao Pedro Silva Pinheiro originally was going to issue a yellow to Argentina's Leandro Paredes for a foul on Embolo, but a video review determined the Swiss attacker was hardly touched and the booking was changed. Embolo received his first card in the 44th minute for a late foul on Paredes.
Kobel's lone save in regulation came in the final minute of second-half stoppage time as he dove to his left to knock away a sidewinding, 15-yard shot from Lisandro Martinez following a Messi corner kick.
Argentina opened the scoring in the 10th minute as Messi's corner kick from the left wing found Mac Allister at the top of the 6-yard box just outside the near post. Mac Allister's glancing header into the far side netting left Kobel flat-footed. It was Messi's record 10th career World Cup assist.
--Field Level Media
Get a daily dose of Milwaukee Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Milwaukee Sun.
More InformationGENEVA, Switzerland: At least one million women and girls have lost access to life-saving support in the past year because of cuts...
DUBLIN, Ireland: A former Circuit Court judge has failed in his attempt to overturn his conviction for attempted rape and the sexual...
LONDON, U.K.: British police are investigating donations worth at least £500,000 (US$671,300) given to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party....
LOS GALLARDOS, Spain: At least 12 people died while trying to escape a wildfire in southern Spain, and 23 others were still missing...
LONDON, U.K.: Only one candidate – Andy Burnham – is expected to contest the election, as nominations opened on July 9 for a Labor...
BEIJING, China: Authorities in southern China said on July 9 that 39 people have died in flooding after a tropical storm brought heavy...
DUBLIN, Ireland: A former Circuit Court judge has failed in his attempt to overturn his conviction for attempted rape and the sexual...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) Esmerlyn Valdez delivered a go-ahead grand slam to help the Pittsburgh Pirates to a...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) Jacob Misiorowski was scheduled to oppose fellow ace Paul Skenes and the host Pittsburgh...
(Photo credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images) The Milwaukee Bucks agreed to terms with swingman Gary Trent Jr. on a four-year, $64 million...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) Bryan Reynolds went 2-for-3 and drove in the go-ahead run for the Pittsburgh Pirates,...
(Photo credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images) Esmerlyn Valdez delivered a go-ahead grand slam to help the Pittsburgh Pirates to a...
