Argentina vs Switzerland Highlights, FIFA World Cup 2026: ARG beat SUI 3-1, advance to semis

Argentina storm into WC semis as Alvarez, Martinez stun Switzerland in extra time

Defending world champions Argentina progressed to a second successive FIFA World Cup semi-final on Saturday, overcoming Switzerland 3-1 with extra-time strikes from Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez at a packed Kansas City Stadium.

After overcoming the odds to mount a stunning 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the previous round, Argentina did not wait for miracles to forge themselves this time around. The defensive-minded Swiss had only conceded three goals in five games, and they had dominated the ball in the opening minutes at Arrowhead Stadium.

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GOALLLLLLL! Lautaro Martinez scores for Argentina, and this is as good as curtains for the Men in Red. Maritnez is charged up, he clears through the entire Swiss defensive line, which was looking to press for an equaliser, but this is where Martinez just finds the right moment to kill the game.

ARG 3-1 SUI

Messi goes for a solo attacking run from the right flank and attempts a shot, but a deflection results in a corner kick. After Messi takes the set-piece, he finds himself in an offside position.

GOALLLLLLLLL! Argentina have found the breakthrough they were searching for! Julián Álvarez with a rocket from outside the box – a fiery strike that finally beats Gregor Kobel! It's his first goal of World Cup 2026, and what a time to get it!

The defending champions are on course to pull off another heist. Just when it looked like the Swiss had done enough to take this to penalties, Argentina find a moment of magic. Heartbreak for Switzerland, they've given everything, but La Albiceleste are moments away from another semifinal. Can the Swiss find one last response?

ARG 2-1 SUI

This is a tremendous effort by Switzerland to keep Argentina at bay until now. Just a few more minutes, and penalties could be anyone's game.

60 seconds have been added after the first half of the extra time. The pace of the game has gone down significantly as players are starting to struggle in the heat of Kansas City. Argentina wins a corner kick, Messi takes it but the scoreline remains the same at halftime of the extra time!

TWO QUICK BOOKINGS FOR ARGENTINA! First, substitute Almada is shown a yellow card, bringing Freuler to the ground, followed by Lautaro for an unwarranted foul on Akanji while fighting for the ball.

Chance for Almada from the left flank, but he shoots wide and finds the side netting.

We are heading to extra time! Thirty minutes of football await, split into two 15-minute halves.

Argentina are pushing to kill this game off in extra time rather than risking a penalty shootout. Both coaches are in the middle of their respective huddles, deep in discussion with their players as they plot the final 30 minutes.

This is the second time the defending champions have been forced into extra time this tournament – Cape Verde had pushed them all the way in the Round of 32.

Another substitution for Switzerland. Eray Cömert replaces Ricardo Rodriguez.

Corner kick for Argentina after the ball went back. Soon Messi gets hold of the possession outside the box on the left and shoots it just wide of the post. Another missed chance for the defending champion.

MISSED CHANCE! Ah, Mac Allister nearly finds the net but makes a mess of it big time after finding Kobel instead.

CHANCE! Messi nearly had this! Rodrigo De Paul plays a ball over the top for Messi in the final third inside the D. Messi makes a run into the box and touches it down but cannot find a way past Kobel, who pounces on the ball to catch a hold of it.

The flag instantly goes up, offside it is.

First substitution for Argentina as Nico Gonzalez comes in for Nicolas Tagliafico.

RED CARD! Absolute drama in the middle as Breel Embolo is sent off!

It all started when Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow card for a rough challenge on the Swiss striker. But the referee was sent to the monitor for a VAR review, and the decision was overturned. It was Embolo who had committed the foul, and he was shown his second yellow card of the night.

The Swiss striker sank to his knees, crying out in disbelief before breaking down in tears as he walked off. Switzerland are now down to 10 men in this crucial quarterfinal clash.

The duo of Embolo and Ndoye are making relentless runs for Switzerland in the Argentina half. Once the defence came in action to give the Swiss a corner, and then Martinez came into action to swat the ball away from the post. Martinez then dived on his left to save a shot from Xhaka.

Ndoye attempts a shot at the goal, but Parades blocks it on time. A brief stoppage in play as Parades then receives treatment.

Corner kick for Argentina. Messi sends the ball from the right corner before Fernandez manages to get his head on the ball, but he heads it outside the post.

Early free kick in the second half for Switzerland after Djibril Sow wins a foul against Nicolas Tagliafico. Freuler fails to impress again with this set-piece, sending it straight to the Argentina goalkeeper.

CREDIT: Opta Analyst

After 45 minutes of regulation time, four extra minutes have been added in the first half.

Switzerland holds possession and continues to make runs. Freuler finds Embolo in the final third, but a rough sliding challenge by Parades on Embolo resulted in a free kick on the left side of the box, quite close to the goalpost.

Freuler takes the free-kick but shoots it on the right side of the post.

Swiss captain Xhaka plays a ball for Rodriguez, who makes his way into the box but Molina manages to get ahead of him and head the ball away for a corner. Fabian Rieder takes the corner kick. He then also wins a foul against Julian Alvarez. Freuler takes the free kick on this occasion, but it isn't conducive for the Swiss.

The Swiss are looking for a fresh new attack after the hydration break. FOUL! Rodrigo de Paul is down after a sliding challenge from Xhaka. No cards shown as we move ahead.

Swiss men in Argentina's half. Holds on to the possession. Djibril Sow wins the ball from his captain, Granit Xhaka and attempts a shot but Emi Martinez is tough to beat on this occasion. Easy save from him to keep the lead intact.

Switzerland wins a free kick in Argentina's half after Breel Embolo was challenged by Cristian Romero. Nothing productive for Switzerland on this occasion after Argentina intercepts it.

Messi with the first genuine touch and contribution in the game. He and Molina create a run from the right flank and the legendary Argentine soon wins a corner for his team. First set piece of the match.

We are off and running at Kansas City Stadium. Switzerland with the first kick of the game. Argentina soon wins the ball, and it's a goal kick for Emi Martinez. Swiss attacking midfielder Ndoye has won the ball on a couple of occasions from Molina.

Alright then, we are moments away from the live action. Both countries are ready in the tunnel, waiting to head to the middle for the national anthem.

England prevail over Norway to reach World Cup 2026 semis! Jude Bellingham scored a brace, denying Norway after the latter got into the lead with a goal from Andreas Schjelderup.

The winner of Argentina vs Switzerland will find Harry Kane's Three Lions in the semis!

Group Stage:

Drew with Qatar 1-1

Beat Bosnia and Herzegovina 4-1

Beat Canada 2-1

Knockouts:

Round of 32: Beat Algeria 2-0

Round of 16: Beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties

Group Stage:

Beat Algeria 3-0

Beat Austria 2-0

Beat Jordan 3-1

Knockouts:

Round of 32: Beat Cape Verde 3-2 (Extra time)

Round of 16: Beat Egypt 3-2

Argentina: Juan Musso, Gerónimo Rulli, Emiliano Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Gonzalo Montiel, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Nicolás Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Valentín Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Thiago Almada, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Julián Alvarez, Lionel Messi, Nico González, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, José Manuel López, Lautaro Martínez.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 is hurtling towards its conclusion. Two semifinalists have already been confirmed, while the third spot is currently being decided. The fourth and final semifinalist will be determined in the clash between defending champions Argentina and Switzerland.

Lionel Messi's Argentina are just three wins away from a historic title defence. The Kansas City Stadium will host the match, which kicks off at 6:30 AM IST.

Stay tuned as we build up to this blockbuster encounter!