Lionel Messi's Argentina side kept alive their bid to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962.
Argentina's Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates during the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter final match between Argentina and Switzerland at the Kansas City Stadium in Missouri, the United States on July 11, 2026. (-/Imagn Images via Reuters/Jay Biggerstaff)
Argentina's Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez scored deep in extra time to secure a dramatic 3-1 World Cup 2026 quarter-final win over 10-man Switzerland on Saturday 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, which was also Kansas City's final game of the tournament, looked headed for a shootout before Alvarez 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.
