FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-finals: Argentina vs Switzerland Match Report – Alvarez and Martinez Strike in Extra Time as Argentina Beat 10-Man Switzerland 3-1

Argentina booked their spot in the semi-finals of the World Cup after getting the better of Switzerland, who had Breel Embolo sent off for simulation in the second half.

Argentina will now face England for a place in the World Cup final after Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez’s extra-time goals earned a 3-1 win over 10-man Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Alexis Mac Allister had given Argentina an early lead before Dan Ndoye hauled his team level just before the hour, only for Switzerland to see Embolo dismissed. Switzerland defended stoutly to force extra-time, but Alvarez and Martínez struck twice in nine minutes to send Argentina into the semi-finals.

Match Overview

First Half: Mac Allister’s Early Strike

Having flicked a headed effort just wide moments earlier, Mac Allister put Argentina in front in the 10th minute. He glanced Lionel Messi’s teasing corner from the left-hand side past Gregor Kobel and into the bottom-right corner. It was the earliest Argentina had scored in a World Cup match since Gonzalo Higuaín’s eighth-minute strike against Belgium in the 2014 quarter-final.

It was the first time Switzerland had gone behind in this World Cup cycle, including both qualifiers and at the tournament. They quickly tried to get themselves level, but Djibril Sow saw his shot from distance gathered by Emiliano Martínez.

Second Half: Ndoye Responds and Embolo’s Red Card

Switzerland began the second half brightly but were unable to find a way past Martínez, with Embolo and Ndoye seeing their headed attempts pushed to safety before Granit Xhaka’s left-footed drive was collected at the second attempt. But Switzerland’s persistence prevailed in the 67th minute when Ndoye combined with Ricardo Rodríguez down the left and placed the ball under the legs of Martínez. Ndoye became the fourth Switzerland player to score multiple goals at this year’s World Cup, joining Johan Manzambi, Embolo, and Rubén Vargas.

However, Switzerland’s joy quickly turned to despair just five minutes later. Having already been booked in the first half for a foul on Leandro Paredes, Embolo was sent off for simulation after diving under the challenge from the same Argentine midfielder. The decision was given after a VAR review. Embolo is the fourth player since 1966 to receive a second yellow card for simulation in a FIFA World Cup match, and the first since Asamoah Gyan for Ghana against Brazil in 2006.

Mac Allister came close to heading in a late winner in normal time but could not hit the target after good work from Nico González, before Messi worked the ball onto his right foot and bent an attempt narrowly wide. Lionel Messi’s assist on Mac Allister’s opening goal was his 10th FIFA World Cup assist, two more than any other player since 1966. Messi’s 10 assists have set up goals for 10 different players. He has now recorded 10 goal contributions in this World Cup, the second time he has achieved that mark in a single edition, becoming one of two players to do so multiple times since 1966 alongside Kylian Mbappé.

Extra Time: Alvarez and Martinez Seal It

Both sides struggled to test either goalkeeper in the first period of extra time until Messi’s shot was parried by Kobel, with the play kept alive and leading to the winning goal. González picked out José Manuel López, who laid the ball off for Alvarez to bend a sumptuous effort into the net in the 112th minute. This was the second-latest goal Switzerland have conceded at the World Cup, after Ángel Di María’s 118th-minute winner for Argentina in the 2014 round of 16.

Four of Alvarez’s five career World Cup goals have now been scored in the knockout rounds, tying him with Diego Maradona for the second-most by an Argentinian player behind only Messi. However, Argentina were not done there. In Switzerland’s desperate attempt for an equaliser, Xhaka was dispossessed by Alvarez, but Thiago Almada was denied by Kobel, only for the rebound to fall kindly for Martínez to seal another dramatic victory in the 120th minute.

Goal Summary

Key Match Statistics

A Tale of Two Halves and Extra Time Dominance

This was a game Argentina managed in waves. The first half was cagey, yet Argentina still created the only big chance and led 1-0. After the interval, they climbed to 66% possession and out-tackled Switzerland 12-6, even as Ndoye found the equalizer. From there, the momentum snowballed into extra time.

Across 120 minutes, Argentina’s control told. They out-shot Switzerland 12-5 inside the box and earned eight corners to Switzerland’s two. Dribbles were a major separator, with Argentina completing 10 of 14 (71%) against Switzerland’s 3 of 12 (25%). Passing territory was decisive. Argentina attempted 692 passes to Switzerland’s 474, completing 615 to 399. They posted 73 final-third entries and an 85% completion rate in that zone, pulling Switzerland’s lines apart.

Extra time underlined the trend. In the first extra period, Argentina had 86% possession and took eight shots to two. The second period was 60-40 and delivered the goals, with four shots on target for Argentina and none for Switzerland. With the red card biting hard, Switzerland’s back line faced wave after wave. The final goals simply reflected the pressure.

Switzerland have now been eliminated in all four of their quarter-final appearances at the World Cup (1934, 1938, 1954, 2026).

Player Spotlight: Álvarez Named Man of the Match

Julián Álvarez was named Man of the Match for his decisive contribution. He delivered the goal that mattered most at 112 minutes, ending with three shots, two key passes, and relentless pressing even as legs grew heavy. Four of his five World Cup goals have come in the knockout rounds, tying him with Diego Maradona for second-most by an Argentinian.

Lionel Messi finished with 99 touches and 69 passes, 60 of them accurate. His six key passes led all players, and his assist for Mac Allister opened the scoring. He also completed five of 11 crosses and logged 0.70 expected assists. Off the ball, he won eight duels, made three tackles, and recovered five balls. He carried the ball 44 times for a total of 412.6 meters, progressing play by 270.5 meters. His scoring run of nine consecutive World Cup matches came to an end, but his influence was undiminished.

Lautaro Martínez sealed the win with a composed finish at 120+1 and also contributed two key passes. Leandro Paredes completed 112 of 119 passes and logged two key passes, constantly recycling play. Lisandro Martínez won nine duels and made four tackles. Nico González completed 28 of 29 passes and created a big chance in only 42 minutes, while Thiago Almada produced three shots and one off the woodwork. Emiliano Martínez produced four saves to keep the door shut when Switzerland threatened.

For Switzerland, Granit Xhaka posted 67 accurate passes, three shots, and seven recoveries. Rodríguez supplied three key passes and the assist for the equaliser. Ndoye was a handful on the break with 0.28 xG and three shots, but the red card to Embolo reshaped the contest.

What It Means

Argentina have reached the last four of the World Cup for the third time in the last four editions (2014, 2022, 2026). Prior to 2014, they hadn’t reached the semi-final since 1990. This was Argentina’s record 13th extra-time match in the World Cup, and they have emerged as winners (including penalty shoot-out wins) in 11 of those. Lionel Scaloni is unbeaten in 10 all-time matches against UEFA opposition as manager of Argentina.

This is only the third time all four semi-finalists in a World Cup are former winners of the competition (1970, 1990). Argentina will now face England, who also needed extra-time to beat Norway, on July 15.

Read More: FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-finals: Norway vs England Match Report – Bellingham’s Extra-Time Heroics Send England Into Semi-Finals After 2-1 Win Over Norway

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