Sunday, July 12th 2026 - 08:43 UTC
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to reach the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup, where they will face England on Wednesday in a rematch of one of the most historically charged fixtures in international football.
The side coached by Lionel Scaloni went ahead after ten minutes, but Switzerland equalized in the 67th and forced extra time. The decisive goals came late in the additional period: Julián Álvarez scored in the 112th minute and Lautaro Martínez sealed the result in the final minute of extra time. Argentina dominated possession and had 23 shots to their opponents' 13, with Switzerland finishing a man down after a second booking.
England reached the semifinals after defeating Norway 2-1, also in extra time, leaving both sides with a similar physical toll ahead of Wednesday's match. The winner will play in the final against the victor of the France-Spain tie, to be played on Tuesday.
After qualifying, the Argentine players celebrated with fans in the stands and sang chants about their next opponents, including one with anti-English content that is common in the country's football folklore. The meeting between the two teams carries a weight beyond sport: the rivalry became linked to the 1982 South Atlantic conflict, and since then every World Cup encounter has been read in symbolic terms in Argentina.
