World Cup Thriller: Argentina Outlasts Switzerland 3-1 in Extra Time to Reach Semifinals

How the Match Unfolded

Argentina looked to be cruising early. Alexis Mac Allister put Argentina on the board in the 10th minute, giving the two-time defending champs exactly the start they wanted against a Swiss team many expected them to handle comfortably.

But Switzerland had other plans. Dan Ndoye equalized in the 67th minute, silencing the Argentine faithful and forcing the match into extra time. According to CNN's live coverage, after 90 minutes Switzerland found themselves exactly where they'd hoped — headed to extra time against the favorites, having ground out a draw despite going down a man.

That's because the match had already swung on a huge moment: Swiss striker Breel Embolo was sent off for a second yellow card in the 72nd minute, leaving Switzerland to defend with ten men for the remainder of regulation and all of extra time.

Extra Time Heroics From Julián Álvarez

With the man advantage in hand, Argentina leaned on their attacking depth — and it was Julián Álvarez, not Messi, who delivered the signature moment of the match. Álvarez struck in the 112th minute, curling a stunning winner into the back of the net after Messi himself had been held scoreless for the first time at this World Cup.

The goal was instantly hailed as one of the tournament's best. ESPN's commentary team described the buildup vividly: Álvarez was positioned on the left side of the field, outside and above the box, and unleashed a thunderbolt that beat Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel at the far post.

Switzerland pushed for a response, but their resistance was finally broken for good late on. Through great organization, the Swiss had managed to escape the first period of extra time unscathed, until Álvarez's strike from distance broke their resistance and put the result beyond reach. Lautaro Martínez then put the game out of reach in second-half extra time, converting a stoppage-time rebound to seal the 3-1 win.

What It Means for Switzerland

For all the disappointment of the loss, Switzerland has plenty to be proud of. The result ends the Swiss side's most successful World Cup campaign since 1954 — a reminder that this Swiss squad, playing a man down for nearly 50 minutes, pushed the two-time defending champions to the absolute limit.

Argentina's Path Forward: England Awaits

Argentina's reward for surviving the scare is a blockbuster semifinal matchup. Argentina is through to the semifinals for the third time in the last four tournaments, and they'll take on England four days later in Atlanta. FOX Sports confirms the specific date: Argentina now moves on to a semifinal against England in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15.

It sets up one of the most anticipated matchups of the tournament. England reached the semifinal in equally dramatic fashion earlier Saturday, with Jude Bellingham scoring in extra time to help the Three Lions hold off Norway in a thriller. That win keeps alive England's hopes of winning their first World Cup title since 1966.

On the other side of the bracket, the semifinal picture is now fully set. Spain's victory locked them into a semifinal clash against France, scheduled for Tuesday at 3 p.m. ET in Dallas.

Why This Matchup Matters

There's an added layer of intrigue to the World Cup's Final Four. As CNN notes, FIFA's tennis-style seeding rule meant the top four ranked teams — Spain, Argentina, France and England — could not meet until the semifinals, provided all four won their groups, and all four groups were indeed won as expected. The result is a genuine "dream semifinal" scenario for fans and broadcasters alike, with two must-watch matchups setting the stage for the World Cup final.

The Bottom Line

Argentina didn't have it easy, but champions rarely need to. A red card, a hard-fought equalizer, and 30 nail-biting minutes of extra time later, Messi's side is once again standing on the doorstep of another World Cup final — and this time, England stands in the way.