Argentina 3-1 Switzerland ratings: Julian Alvarez the saviour as Breel Embolo sees red | OneFootball

Argentina needed extra-time to beat Switzerland 3-1 in the World Cup quarter-final, the Swiss down to 10 after Breel Embolo’s second yellow. A superb late finish finally decided it.

Alexis Mac Allister headed the Albiceleste in front on 10 minutes, stealing in ahead of Sow. Dan Ndoye equalised on 67 after a one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez, moments after Martinez had tipped away his header. L'Équipe notes that Julian Alvarez produced the decisive strike deep in extra-time to avert a shootout.

Embolo had unsettled Argentina early in the second half, but his dismissal on 72, judged extremely harsh in the circumstances, proved costly. Mac Allister almost nicked it with another header on 89, before Gregor Kobel saved Martinez’s acrobatic effort at 90+9. In extra-time he blocked T. Almada on 93 and 95, then foiled Messi, but he could do nothing about Alvarez’s finish.

Mac Allister impressed with authority in the tackle and positioning, screening his defence even if his link with Messi was patchy. Leandro Paredes directed traffic and made key interceptions, and inadvertently drew Embolo’s second booking. He was replaced by J.M. Lopez in the 110th minute.

For Switzerland, Ndoye was bold throughout. Denis Zakaria helped cut passing lanes at right-back and later in midfield before departing early in extra-time. Enzo Fernandez struggled in an advanced central role and made way for extra-time, with T. Almada twice trying his luck, and Embolo left the field in tears.

Source: L'Équipe