Alvarez stunner sends Argentina through to face England

In partnership with

The Football Faithful

·12 juillet 2026

Alvarez stunner sends Argentina through to face England

Argentina will face England in the World Cup semi-finals after edging past a courageous Switzerland side in Kansas City.

Julian Alvarez settled a fraught and controversial contest with a moment of pure quality in extra time. The holders eventually won 3-1.

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The champions made the perfect start. Alexis Mac Allister rose unmarked to glance in Lionel Messi’s corner after just 10 minutes, punishing slack Swiss marking.

It was the second time in quick succession that he had been left free at a set-piece.

Alvarez stunner sends Argentina through to face England

Switzerland grew into the game, though. Breel Embolo twice threatened before Dan Ndoye levelled in the 67th minute, exchanging a neat one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez before finishing from a tight angle.

Murat Yakin’s side sensed a famous upset. Then came the game’s defining moment.

Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation after a VAR review under the new mistaken identity law, having appeared to be fouled by Leandro Paredes near the halfway line.

Replays showed the Swiss forward had gone down without contact, and Paredes’ own booking was rescinded.

Embolo left the pitch in tears, and Switzerland were down to 10 men. They defended magnificently thereafter, throwing bodies in front of everything and surviving the first period of extra time intact. Penalties began to look inevitable.

Alvarez had other ideas. In the 112th minute, the Manchester City forward curled a sensational strike from 25 yards into the top corner, giving Gregor Kobel no chance. It was a goal worthy of settling any tie.

Lautaro Martinez added a third deep in stoppage time, converting a rebound after Thiago Almada’s effort was saved. Switzerland’s resistance was finally broken, ending their best World Cup run since 1954.

Notably, Messi failed to score for the first time in 10 World Cup matches, his remarkable run of nine consecutive scoring games coming to an end.

Argentina now meet England in Atlanta on Wednesday at 20:00 BST, in the first competitive meeting between the nations in 24 years.