Lionel Messi, Argentina march on to World Cup semifinals

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·12 July 2026

Lionel Messi, Argentina march on to World Cup semifinals

By Dylan Butler

Argentina advance to the 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinals after defeating Switzerland, 3-1, in added extra time in the quarterfinals Saturday night at Kansas City Stadium.

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The defending World Cup champions will meet England in Atlanta on Wednesday for the right to take on either France or Spain in the World Cup final next Sunday.

Lionel Messi extended a World Cup record with his 10th career assist in the competition when Alexis Mac Allister headed the Inter Miami star's corner kick inside the far post to put Argentina in front early.

Dan Ndoye leveled for Switzerland in the 67th minute, clinically finishing a give-and-go from Ricardo Rodriguez.

Five minutes later, Switzerland were reduced to 10 men when Breel Embolo was sent off for a second bookable offense.

La Albiceleste probed for the go-ahead goal for the rest of regulation and most of extra time, before finally breaking through in the 112th minute on Julián Álvarez's golazo.

Lautaro Martínez tacked on an insurance goal in the 121st minute to secure Argentina's spot in the semifinals.

Goals

10' - ARG - Alexis Mac Allister | WATCH
67' - SUI - Dan Ndoye | WATCH
112' - ARG - Julián Álvarez | WATCH
120+1' - ARG - Lautaro Martínez | WATCH

Three Things

THE BIG PICTURE: When Argentina scored just 10 minutes into the match, it appeared it would be smooth sailing to the semifinals. Instead, they had to suffer before finally pulling the match out in added extra time, setting up an epic semifinal against familar foe England.

MOMENT OF THE MATCH: With Argentina fans everywhere fearing the possibility of a penalty-kick shootout, Julián Álvarez alleviated the tension with this thunderous strike.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Álvarez might not score a better or more important goal for Argentina than the extra-time golazo that kept the dream of back-to-back World Cup titles alive.