Extra-Time Golazo Propels Holders Past Gritty 10-Man Swiss
KANSAS CITY, Missouri — Late extra-time thunderbolts from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez rescued a sluggish Argentina on Saturday, punishing stubborn 10-man Switzerland 3-1 and sending the reigning champions into a World Cup semi-final showdown against England. Lionel Scaloni’s men were pushed to the limit in front of a raucous, partisan crowd at Arrowhead Stadium. In suffocating summer humidity, the holders kept alive their bid to match Brazil’s 1962 feat by becoming the first nation to retain the global crown in 64 years. Yet the Swiss fairytale, in search of their first semi-final berth since hosting the tournament in 1954, did not end quietly. La Albiceleste seized the lead just ten minutes into the contest. Lionel Messi delivered a corner to the front post, where Alexis Mac Allister evaded his marker and flicked a sharp header past Gregor Kobel into the far side of the net. It marked the first time the defensively stout Swiss had trailed throughout their campaign. Switzerland refused to unravel. After a tentative opening half, the European side flipped the script after the intermission. They pressed aggressively, asking intense questions of the Argentine defence and forcing goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez into several acrobatic blocks. The pressure yielded gold in the 67th minute. Dan Ndoye sliced down the left flank, traded intricate passes with veteran fullback Ricardo Rodríguez, and slipped a clinical, low right-footed strike right through Martínez's legs to spark pandemonium in the Swiss ranks.  Minutes later, the game turned into an officiating controversy. The referee initially penalised Argentina’s Leandro Paredes for a challenge on Breel Embolo, showing a yellow card. But a lengthy VAR review showed Embolo had anticipated contact and went to ground. In a reversal, the caution on Paredes was rescinded and given to Embolo. Already booked in the first half, the Swiss forward was dismissed, leaving the underdogs with ten men for the remaining stretch. Argentina immediately pinned the Swiss back in their own half, but a breakthrough proved elusive. A 39-year-old Messi, orchestrating play in his sixth World Cup, almost avoided extra time in stoppage time, driving a fierce shot inches wide of the post. Ultimately, Swiss resistance broke in the second period of extra time. In the 112th minute, Álvarez collected the ball from deep and unleashed a dipping long-range strike that flew into the top corner, leaving a diving Kobel stranded. With seconds remaining before the final whistle, Thiago Almada drove a counter-attack shot that Kobel parried away. Martínez reacted first and calmly slotted home the rebound into an open net to seal a thrilling, down-to-the-wire contest. Argentina now travels to Atlanta on Wednesday for a semi-final against the Three Lions, who narrowly defeated Norway 2-1 earlier on Saturday.
