Lautaro scores, Argentina in the semi-finals | OneFootball

Another Albiceleste night, another night for Argentina. The reigning world champions booked their place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland after a hard-fought contest that remained finely balanced until the second period of extra time. Two Inter players featured prominently: Lautaro Martínez came off the bench and sealed Argentina's third goal, while Manuel Akanji played the full 120 minutes, producing an outstanding defensive display.

In Kansas City, the final quarter-final of the tournament saw Argentina make a flying start. La Selección broke the deadlock in the 10th minute when Mac Allister headed home from a perfectly delivered Lionel Messi corner, the captain's tenth World Cup assist. Argentina controlled both possession and the tempo of the game, rarely looking troubled by a well-organised Swiss side. After the break, however, Switzerland stepped things up and equalised in the 67th minute through Ndoye, who timed his run into the box perfectly before finishing off a neat one-two with Rodríguez. The Swiss grew in confidence and Emiliano Martínez was forced into a couple of important saves, but the match turned in the 72nd minute when Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card for simulation following a VAR review, reducing Switzerland to ten men. Sensing the opportunity, Lionel Scaloni added more firepower to his side. After introducing Nico González, he also brought on Lautaro Martínez in the 85th minute. The Inter captain immediately occupied the penalty area, caused constant problems for the Swiss defence and added further attacking threat alongside Julián Álvarez. Lautaro also found himself involved in several physical duels with fellow Inter player Akanji, who continued to produce a superb defensive performance. Neither side could find a winner in normal time, sending the match into extra time. Argentina pushed relentlessly but struggled to create clear-cut chances against Kobel, and the game appeared destined for penalties until the 112th minute, when Julián Álvarez curled a magnificent strike from the edge of the box into the top corner. Argentina could sense victory, while Switzerland abandoned their defensive shape in a desperate search for an equaliser. That opened the door for a decisive counter-attack in the first minute of stoppage time in extra time. Lautaro won possession near the halfway line and released Almada through on goal. The Atlético Madrid midfielder's effort was saved by Kobel, but the rebound fell kindly to Lautaro, who slotted into the empty net to make it 3-1, sparking wild celebrations among the Argentine players and supporters.

Argentina are now the final team to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals. On Wednesday 15 July at 21:00 CEST in Atlanta, La Albiceleste will take on England in a prestigious and highly anticipated clash for a place in the World Cup Final on Sunday 19 July. It also brings the curtain down on a historic tournament for Manuel Akanji's Switzerland, who reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954.