ARGENTINA ADVANCES TO THE WORLD CUP SEMI-FINAL, THANKS TO ÁLVAREZ'S MAGIC.

 Goals from Lautaro Martinez, Julian Alvarez, and Alexis Mac Allister set up a thrilling semifinal matchup with England in the 2026 World Cup quarterfinal between Argentina and Switzerland in Kansas City.

Julian Alvarez's stunning strike sent Argentina on their way to the semi-finals

Argentina defeated 10-man Switzerland 3-1 thanks to a stunning extra-time goal from Julian Alvarez, setting up an exciting World Cup semifinal matchup with England.

A spot in the final against either France or Spain is up for grabs when Lionel Messi and company take on the Three Lions in Atlanta on Wednesday at 8 p.m. UK time.

The nations will compete for the first time in twenty-four years.

Switzerland made a good start in Kansas City, but when they went behind within ten minutes, they were solely to blame. Two times, Alexis Mac Allister was left unmarked at a corner. The second time, he punished them by directing in a header after Messi picked him open.

Alexis Mac Allister put Argentina in front

The Swiss' most promising opportunity of the first half came from Breel Embolo, but Lisandro and Emi Martinez combined to deny him a shot from just inside the box. Soon after the restart, he too had a great opportunity to tie the score, but Lisandro Martinez's superb block prevented him.

Dan Ndoye's equaliser forced extra time

After a period of persistent pressure, Dan Ndoye and Granit Xhaka forced saves from the Argentina goalkeeper, which ultimately paid off when the former expertly connected up with Ricardo Rodriguez and shot home from a tight angle to tie the score.

Breel Embolo was sent off under new mistaken identity rules

The Swiss joy was fleeting. Leandro Paredes was booked for a foul on Embolo five minutes after the equalizer. However, the VAR suggested a review under the new mistaken identification rules, and referee Joao Pinheiro instead gave Embolo a second yellow card for simulation.

Before the final whistle, Messi and Mac Allister both had opportunities to win for Argentina, but they were unable to stop extra time.

Lautaro Martinez added Argentina's third

For the first fifteen minutes, Switzerland held the defending world champions at bay, but Julian Alvarez's stunning 25-yard strike into the top right corner took the wind out of their sails. The Swiss race was already over when Lautaro Martinez added the polish to the fading embers.

The pivotal moments in Kansas City

• 10: GOAL! Messi delivers Argentina's second corner in quick succession and finds Alexis Mac Allister, who heads in unmarked.
• 32: BIG CHANCE! Switzerland's Breel Embolo is sent clear, but Lisandro Martinez and Emi Martinez combine to stop him getting a shot away.
• 43: WASTEFUL! Remo Freuler stands over a free-kick in a promising position on the left, but goes for glory despite four men waiting in the box and misses the target by some distance.
• 50: BLOCK! Incredible from Lisandro Martinez, who recovers to deny a Embolo a certain goal.
• 67: GOAL! Dan Ndoye plays a neat one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez and fires underneath Emi Martinez from a tight angle.
• 72: RED CARD! Embolo is shown a second yellow card for simulation under new mistaken identity rules.
• 89: CHANCE! Mac Allister meets a Nico Gonzalez cross, but heads over from six yards.
• 112: GOAL! Julian Alvarez scores a stunner to restore Argentina's lead.
• 120+1: GOAL! Lautaro Martinez adds the gloss late on after Thiago Almada's initial shot is kept out.