KANSAS CITY — Lionel Messi and Argentina are through to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup — barely — after surviving yet another scare at the hands of Switzerland in the fourth and final quarterfinal on Saturday.
MORE — Predictions, schedule for World Cup quarterfinals
The defending world champs needed extra-time for the second time in the knockout rounds (and a red card that helped as well), but they are now just two wins away from becoming the first team since Brazil (1958 and 1962) to repeat as World Cup winners.
Alexis Mac Allister put the Albiceleste ahead after 10 minutes, but every minute and every touch of the ball was hard-fought and contested by a Swiss side that simply refused to play their part. Dan Ndoye equalized midway through the second half, but five minutes later Switzerland were down to 10 men after Breel Embolo was sent off for a second yellow (diving) after video review.
Switzerland held out for extra-time, but eventually succumbed to wave after wave of Argentine pressure (and depth off the bench). Julian Alvarez broke the deadlock in the 112th minute, when he in from the left wing and whipped a curler into the top corner. Lautaro Martinez had fresh legs off the bench in the 85th minute and was the right man in the right spot to put back a rebound for game, set, match in the 121st.
Up next, Argentina will play England in the second semifinal on Wednesday (3 pm ET) in Atlanta.
Below are all of the live updates you need from Argentina vs Switzerland here in Kansas City, with analysis, videos, reaction and more.
Argentina vs Switzerland final score: 3-1
Goalscorers: Alexis Mac Allister (10'), Dan Ndoye (67'), Julian Alvarez (112"), Lautaro Matinez (120'+1)
Switzerland put up a formidable fight both before and after the red card, but the man (dis)advantage proved to be too much to overcome in the end.
¡LA ALBICELESTE NO SE RINDE!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 12, 2026
Lautaro Martínez selló la fiesta de goles de Argentina. pic.twitter.com/NQo4m8OmqP
It was always going to take something incredibly special to beat Switzerland with 10 men behind the ball, and Julian Alvarez delivered.
Not like this! Switzerland just fought their way back in, and now they’re down to 10. Embolo had been jostling with Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero from the first minute, and perhaps he took the gamesmanship one step too far.
❌ ¡SUIZA SE QUEDA CON 10!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 12, 2026
🟥 Breel Embolo recibe segunda amarilla por fingir una falta y se pinta de rojo ante Argentina 🇦🇷.
📺 Sigue toda la cobertura de la Copa Mundial de la FIFA 2026 por Telemundo y Peacock#MundialTelemundo #FIFAWorldCup #Somos26 #Argentina… pic.twitter.com/tHU199navB
It had been coming! Switzerland are level and Emiliano Martinez has finally been beaten after making a few saves in a few minutes. Ricardo Rodriguez slipped Dan Ndoye in behind and he rolled it right under Martinez’s outstretched leg.
¡SUIZA PONE A SUDAR A ARGENTINA!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 12, 2026
Dan Ndoye define por debajo de Emiliano Martínez y de parte interna la manda a guardar a las redes. pic.twitter.com/JB4sOgave4
Argentina were under pressure from the opening whistle, right up until the point they were awarded a corner kick and a chance to breathe. And then they scored.
¡LA ALBIAZUL EMPIEZA A PRESIONAR A SUIZA!
— Telemundo Deportes (@TelemundoSports) July 12, 2026
Alexis Mac Allister aprovecha una gran asistencia de Messi para rematar de cabeza y abrir el marcador de Argentina. pic.twitter.com/fvI9G9umIU
Kobel - Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez - Xhaka, Freuler, Sow - Rieder, Ndoye, Embolo
E. Martinez - Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico - Paredes, De Paul, Mac Allister - Fernandez, Messi, Alvarez
Kick off time: 9 pm ET Saturday (July 11)
Venue: Arrowhead Stadium — Kansas City
TV Channel: Telemundo
Streaming: Stream live on Peacock, en Espanol
