Argentina 3-1 Switzerland: Álvarez belter seals World Cup semi-final tie against England | OneFootball

Argentina defeated 10-man Switzerland in extra time after a wonderful Julian Álvarez strike booked their semi-final spot to set up a tantalising tie against England in the final four of the World Cup.

Argentina started fast and took an early lead from a simple corner routine, with Lionel Messi swinging it into Alexis Mac Allister who steered his header home in the first half.

Dan Ndoye and Ricardo Rodriguez responded in the second half with some lovely link up play before the former tucked the ball past Emiliano Martinez in the Argentine goal from a tight angle on the left to equalize.

However, mere minutes later Switzerland would be reduced to ten after a mistaken identity VAR check led to Breel Embolo being booked for simulation. Switzerland played out the remaining 20 plus minutes before heading into extra time.

In extra time, a moment of Álvarez magic put Argentina ahead before substitute Lautaro Martinez scored deep into extra time to seal the victory for the World Cup holders and ensure their title defence continued.

As it happened

Argentina took an early lead after just ten minutes. Lionel Messi involved once again, as he swung a corner into the near post. It was Alexis Mac Allister who provided the finishing touch. He leaped highest before beautifully glancing his header to put the South Americans in front.

It was Switzerland who would have the next big chance of the game. Nottingham Forest’s Dan Ndoye sliding it through to Breel Embolo who was only prevented after some brilliant Argentine defending.

Inside the first five minutes of the second half, Switzerland should have pulled themselves level. Embolo held the ball before passing it across to Ndoye, but he was prevented again after more superb defending.

Switzerland had knocked on the door throughout the second half and finally got themselves on level terms after 67 minutes. Ndoye played a tidy one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez on the edge of the area before he cut back and produced a wonderful finish to pull his side level.

There was another twist in the tale when Breel Embolo was given a second yellow card and dismissed after a VAR decision. Leandro Paredes was originally booked for a foul on Embolo but after a VAR review for mistaken identity it was deemed Embolo dived and embellished contact. Switzerland were down to ten with just under 20 minutes of normal time to play.

Argentina pushed for a winner in additional time, but the Swiss defence held strong and kept them out. Extra time beckoned, and Switzerland were to play a further half hour a man down.

La Albiceleste continued to push in the first period of extra time but had no major chances. Switzerland were holding strong and hoping to reach penalties.

A moment of pure magic put the reigning World Champions ahead in the second half of extra time. Julian Alvarez with his first shot on target in the game whips a shot into the top right corner. He glanced up once before letting fly from the edge of the area and producing a top-class finish.

Lautaro Martinez sealed the game after Switzerland pushed for an equaliser leaving themselves wide open at the back. It was Thiago Almada who had the first attempt before it fell to Martinez, and he tucked away the rebound. Argentina were going to meet England in the semi-finals of the World Cup.

Argentina Analysis: Messi the focal point

Argentina started fast and pressed the Swiss relentlessly. The Swiss were not given an inch and Argentina were turning the ball over often. However, for all their pressing it did not lead to much attacking return, and they could not keep that level of intensity up for a sustained period.

La Albiceleste took the lead through a goal that seemed basic but was well thought out. Lionel Messi delivering a corner that just cleared the first man, Manuel Akanji, and allowed Mac Allister to meet it. The Liverpool man peeled off Embolo opening up the space behind Akani for him to apply a brilliant, flicked finish.

Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi was at the centre of all Argentinian attacks. He created the most chances of any player. Often, he would stay dormant and then in little bursts he would come alive and pick out a pass or create some space through one of his trademark dribbles.

Once the Swiss were reduced to ten it became Argentina’s job to break down the low block. This is where Messi is instrumental to the Argentines. He has the ability to create something from nothing and find space within the low block.

In extra time, it became more and more apparent that Argentina wanted to keep getting their talisman on the ball to create the chance and put it on a plate for somebody else.

Despite all of Messi’s creative abilities it was magic from his teammates that got the job done. Julian Alvarez showed his ability and how lethal he can be in front of goal. Before a brilliant counter attacking goal made it three.

Argentina posses’ quality past Messi but so much of their play does come through the great man.

Switzerland Analysis: A tournament to look back on with pride

Prior to this match, many would have written Switzerland off or given them very little chance against the reigning world champions.

However, Switzerland certainly gave as good as they got. They attacked with pace and created numerous chances throughout the game.

They were unlucky to be 1-0 down so early on as they had looked good. A defensive switch off at the corner allowed Argentina to take the lead, but even this did not deter them as they continued to push for an equaliser.

They found said equaliser after some brilliant attacking work from Ndoye and Rodriguez. This goal optimised everything the Swiss had done well, as they worked the ball quickly between the pair before a brilliant finish.

Switzerland were proving a real challenge for Argentina.

Switzerland had been brilliant at drawing fouls all game and consistently found themselves winning free kicks in dangerous areas. However, Switzerland needed to be more threatening from these situations as they had plenty of opportunity to cross the ball into the area but never really created many opportunities.

However, Embolo’s red card in the second half changed the game drastically. Switzerland could no longer break with pace through fear of leaving themselves open at the back. Instead, Switzerland sat into a low block.

They seemed defensively sound, but they had a mountainous task ahead. Switzerland did well to keep Argentina out in normal time to take it into extra time.

However, this proved a step too far, as it only seemed a matter of time before Argentina produced something special. Switzerland allowed Argentina to keep playing in and around their box and invited too much pressure on themselves.

After conceding they pushed forward and continued to win fouls, but they pushed too many men forward leaving themselves exposed at the back.

Argentina punished them for this and added a third deep into extra time. Switzerland gave a good account of themselves, but the red card changed the game.

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Argentina – Switzerland Live Score