Álvarez Sends Argentina Past 10-Man Switzerland and Into England Semi-Final

What happened:

Watch the highlights:

Argentina are into the World Cup semi-finals after beating Switzerland in extra time, with Julián Álvarez producing the decisive moment eight minutes before the end of the added period. The Guardian report describes Argentina as having been close to penalties against a Switzerland side that was down to 10 men but still organised enough to drag the match into a dangerous late state.

The match began in Argentina’s control. Alexis Mac Allister headed them into an early lead, a goal that made the quarter-final feel as if it might become a routine Argentina progression. Instead, the game slowed, Switzerland stayed compact, and the pressure shifted as Argentina failed to turn that early advantage into separation.

Turning point:

Dan Ndoye equalised midway through the second half, giving Switzerland a path back into a match that had looked to be slipping away. The key disciplinary moment came five minutes after that equaliser, when Breel Embolo received a second booking for diving. That left Switzerland with 10 men, but it did not immediately break their structure. Argentina still had to solve a deep, disciplined opponent while managing the risk of a shootout.

Álvarez eventually did what Lionel Messi could not on this night. Cutting onto his right foot, he struck from 25 yards into Gregor Kobel’s top left corner, according to the source account. Lautaro Martínez later scored from a rebound to seal the result, but Álvarez’s strike was the one that changed the state of the tie.

Tournament impact:

Argentina now face England on Wednesday in Atlanta. The fixture carries obvious historical weight, with the Guardian noting Messi will contest it 40 years after the Hand of God match. More immediately, Argentina arrive after a win that showed both their vulnerability and their range of match-winners. Messi tried to influence the game, but the decisive attacking intervention came from Álvarez, with Martínez adding late insurance.

For Switzerland, the regret is equally clear. Ndoye’s equaliser gave them a realistic route to a semi-final before Embolo’s dismissal narrowed their margin. The source frames Switzerland as likely to feel it could have been them, and that is the practical lesson: their organisation was good enough to put Argentina under stress, but the red-card sequence left too much defending to survive.

Confidence:

Confirmed by the source: Argentina beat Switzerland in extra time, Mac Allister scored early, Ndoye equalised, Embolo was sent off after a second booking for diving, Álvarez scored from distance, Martínez added a late rebound, and Argentina will play England in Atlanta on Wednesday. Details still needing follow-up include the final official scoreline, full statistical profile, and any team news before the semi-final.