Argentina is headed back to the semi-finals of the World Cup. After taking down Switzerland on Saturday evening, 3-1, Argentina has a date with England on Wednesday. The winner moves on to the World Cup Final.
Argentina needed extra time to advance over Switzerland, and they got the job done. It was a much harder match for the defending World Champions, but, as any world-champion squad does, they found a way to advance.
General view inside the stadium before the match
Albert Gea
World Cup Quarterfinals – Argentina vs Switzerland
It didn’t take long for Argentina to take the lead. From a Lionel Messi corner, his inswinging ball went near the post, and Mac Allister got enough airtime to head it in. Messi’s assist on the goal was his 10th goal contribution of the World Cup.
Mac Allister’s goal was also the first time Switzerland trailed in the entire tournament.
Switzerland generated quality scoring chances in the remainder of the first half but managed only one shot on target. They were controlling possession, though, 57% – 43% in the first half.
Switzerland’s Breel Embolo was booked in the 44th minute after catching Leandro Paredes’ outstretched leg while attempting a pass. He didn’t know it then, but that yellow card would eventually haunt Embolo in the second half.
Switzerland’s Dan Ndoye scores their first goal past Argentina’s Emiliano Martinez
JAY BIGGERSTAFF
Emiliano Martínez was tested for the first time in the second half in the 65th minute. He dove across his line and managed to get both hands on an attempt by Dan Ndoye.
Ndoye didn’t waste any time after the near chance. Just two minutes later, he brought the match level for Switzerland. He worked a one-two with Ricardo Rodríguez on the edge of the penalty area before cutting back near the byline and firing a right-footed shot behind Martinez.
In the 72nd minute, Embolo was sent off with a red card. After VAR review, it was determined that the striker embellished contact to try to win a foul. An initial yellow card for Paredes was actually canceled, and Embolo was booked for simulation. His yellow card from the first half resurfaced to haunt him, and Switzerland was down to 10 men for the remainder of the match.
After a flurry of more offensive chances and substitutions, this quarterfinal match would need extra time to settle the 1-1 score.
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez scores their second goal past Switzerland’s Gregor Kobel
Agustin Marcarian
Switzerland was at a clear disadvantage entering extra time, and the first half showed it. Argentina carried possession 86%-14%! They were in complete control of the first extra-time half and managed eight shots, one on target.
The second half of extra time was when Argentina took the match back into its hands.
Argentina kept knocking on the door for a goal, and in the 112th minute, Julián Álvarez delivered. Álvarez cut inside ahead of the left of the penalty area and fired a finesse shot into the net behind Gregor Kobel. Top bins. 2-1 Argentina.
The go-ahead goal from Álvarez had left Switzerland completely distraught. Their being down to 10 men was obviously not helping them at all, and they couldn’t do anything to get back into the match.
Argentina’s Julian Alvarez celebrates scoring their second goal with teammates
Agustin Marcarian
Lautaro Martínez added the dagger in the 120+1′ to put Argentina ahead 3-1 and book their trip back to the semi-finals.
Switzerland’s historic run back to the quarterfinals since 1954 came to an end against the defending champions, but they have every right to hold their heads high and look back on this tournament with a smile.
The 19th-ranked nation in the FIFA World Rankings gave the #1-ranked nation a solid fight, especially being down to 10 men for the later stages of the second half and all of extra time. Switzerland continues to prove they are always a dark horse in tournaments.
The Semifinals begin Tuesday!
France
vs.
Spain
Tuesday,
July 14,
3 pm ET
AT&T Stadium, Arlington
Fox, Fox One, Telemundo, Peacock
England
vs.
Argentina
Wednesday,
July 15,
3 pm ET
Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
Fox, Fox One, Telemundo, Peacock
MORE: Philly Sports Network’s World Cup Coverage