Argentina’s Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored deep in extra time to secure a dramatic 3-1 quarter-final win over 10-man Switzerland on Sunday and set up a heavyweight last-four clash against England in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Lionel Messi’s Argentina side kept alive their bid to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962 with a victory that sparked pandemonium among the sea of sky-blue-and-white supporters and ended Switzerland’s fairytale run.
The Swiss had reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954, but fell one match short of an unprecedented semi-final appearance, suffering a major blow when Breel Embolo was sent off for diving in the 72nd minute.
The thriller – Kansas City’s final World Cup game – looked headed for a shootout before Alvarez, excellent all night, whipped a gorgeous long-range shot into the top corner in the 112th minute that Gregor Kobel at full-stretch had no chance of saving.
Martinez added a third for the holders nine minutes later when he calmly slotted home the rebound of Thiago Almada’s shot.
“We’re used to suffering,” Almada said. “We come from being champions and now being among the top four is not easy at all. We want to chase glory and put Argentina at the very top.”
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The South Americans dominated early exchanges before Switzerland rallied impressively, forcing extra time in spite of playing the closing stages with 10 men after Breel Embolo’s dismissal.
Argentina struck first in the 10th minute when Alexis Mac Allister converted Lionel Messi’s clever assist, rewarding their bright opening and sustained attacking pressure. It was the first time Switzerland had trailed in the tournament.
But the Swiss – without injured leading scorer Johan Manzambi, who had three goals and two assists – refused to wilt.
After a largely uneventful first half, the contest burst into life as Switzerland repeatedly tested Emiliano Martinez, forcing the Argentina goalkeeper into a string of sharp saves and jolting the South American supporters into full voice.
An equaliser felt almost inevitable as the Swiss piled on the pressure, and they were rewarded in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye exchanged passes with Ricardo Rodriguez down the left before sliding a right-footed finish through Martinez’s legs.
However, Switzerland were reduced to 10 men when Embolo got a second yellow card for simulation. It came after a lengthy VAR review for mistaken identity, with the referee overturning his initial decision to caution Argentina’s Leandro Paredes.
The call left Swiss coach Murat Yakin livid.
“I know that (FIFA) will protect their referee, but this rule destroyed our game today, and it is incredibly painful,” he said. “And to be eliminated in that way hurts a lot. Unfortunately, we have to accept it.”
Neither side found a decisive goal in normal time, sending the enthralling contest into an additional 30 minutes.
Argentina introduced Thiago Almada immediately before extra time, while Switzerland answered by replacing Denis Zakaria with Ardon Jashari in the 96th minute.
Tempers flared during extra time as Almada and Lautaro Martinez were both cautioned following robust challenges in quick succession.
Argentina regained the lead in the 112th minute when Julian Alvarez finished clinically after excellent work from Junior Lopez to make it 2-1.
Lautaro Martinez wrapped up victory, scoring Argentina’s third goal to confirm a deserved 3-1 triumph.
The distraught Swiss dropped to their knees, consoling each other, while Argentina’s star-studded squad lingered on the pitch soaking up the atmosphere as Messi tugged off his shirt and twirled it above his head in front of the Argentina fans.
Wednesday’s semi-final will mark the first time England have faced Messi at a World Cup.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s England or Norway (who lost 2-1 to Thomas Tuchel’s England after extra time earlier on Saturday),” Scaloni said. “We’re going to come up against a team that plays very well and has a great coach.”
