Argentina v Switzerland

A routine victory on the scoreline was anything but that for the world champions, who outlasted a determined Switzerland before pulling away in the second half of extra-time to earn a 3-1 victory at Kansas City Stadium, and passage through to the semi-finals. After taking an early lead through Mac Allister, Argentina were pegged back following the hour mark thanks to Ndoye’s neat finish, but Embolo’s sending off for a second bookable offence a short while later shifted all the momentum back the way of Scaloni’s team. Through great organisation, the UEFA side were able to see off wave after wave of attack, escaping the first period of extra-time unscathed, until Alvarez’s wonderful strike from distance broke their resistance and put the result beyond reach. Lautaro Martinez would then add a bit of insurance before the full-time whistle, taking Argentina’s xG up to an even 2.0, while Switzerland fall to defeat after producing just 0.53 - with 0.03 of that coming in extra-time. The result ends the Red Crosses’ most successful World Cup campaign since 1954, while Argentina are through to the semi-finals for the third time in four tournaments, and they’ll take on England in four days in Atlanta. That concludes our commentary of the 2026 World Cup quarter-final tie between Argentina and Switzerland - we hope you’ve enjoyed it!

FULL-TIME AFTER EXTRA-TIME: ARGENTINA 3-1 SWITZERLAND

The fourth official indicates four minutes will be added to the end of the match for stoppages.

120'+1'

Goal

THAT SHOULD DO IT! 3-1 ARGENTINA! Alvarez pokes possession away from Xhaka deep in Argentina’s half, which lets the Albiceleste break forward on the counter-attack through Almada. After charging into the penalty area and knocking the ball around Jashari cleverly, the substitute has a go at goal himself, but he’s denied by the oncoming Kobel - only for the rebound to fall kindly into the path of Lautaro Martinez for an empty net finish from just outside the 18-yard box!

Looking to seal the game with one last goal, Messi dribbles with close control into the penalty area before whipping a low shot towards the goalkeeper’s right-hand post that’s blocked and turned behind for a corner by a covering Xhaka.

Vargas nods the ball towards Argentina’s goal from the left side of the penalty area, following Xhaka’s aerial switch of play, but Emiliano Martinez leaps high above the crowd of bodies in the six-yard box to claim it cleanly.