The Lionel Messi-led Argentina team is battling to win its second World Cup in a row, while the Swiss found themselves in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 after defeating Colombia on penalties.<\/p>\n
Argentina<\/a> survived a scare against Egypt, and that set up an interesting matchup between an offensive juggernaut and a Swiss squad that has leaned on its defense.<\/p>\n FOX ONE\u2019S NEW WORLD CUP VIEWING EXPERIENCE<\/a><\/p>\n Lionel Messi and Argentina had to get through Switzerland to continue their quest for back-to-back World Cup titles. (Photo by MB Media\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n It didn’t take too long for Argentina’s offense to get started. In the 10th minute, moments after Messi sailed a corner past the front of the net, Alexis Mac Allister put the reigning champs on the board.<\/p>\n Argentina<\/a> continued to control possession, though only slightly, while Switzerland matched it stride for stride and created a handful of chances. Argentina, meanwhile, failed to capitalize on a couple of excellent opportunities.<\/p>\n The game went to halftime with Mac Allister’s tally being the only one on the board, which Switzerland would probably consider a win in a lot of ways. Keeping the reigning champs within arm’s reach is no small feat.<\/p>\n In the second half, Switzerland continued to put some pressure on, and even made Argentine goaltender Emiliano Martinez<\/a> make some key saves.<\/p>\n Switzerland’s Dan Ndoye celebrates the tying goal against Argentina on Saturday in Kansas City. (Photo by Kyle Rivas – FIFA\/FIFA via Getty Images)<\/p>\n In the 67th minute, that pressure paid off with the Swiss shocking the heavily pro-Argentina crowd when Dan Ndoye evened things up at 1-1.<\/p>\n Momentum had definitely swung in Switzerland’s favor, but then Switzerland got hit with a brutal decision from the officials.<\/p>\n Argentina’s Leandro Paredes was given a yellow card, but upon review, the call was reversed, and the yellow card was given to Switzerland’s Breel Embolo.<\/p>\n Critically, this was his second yellow card of the game, so he was sent off, and Switzerland had to continue with just 10 players.<\/p>\n WATCH THE WORLD CUP FINAL ON FOX ONE<\/a><\/p>\n However, the Swiss managed to stay alive, and this one was headed to extra time, and that was thanks to a stunning save on an Argentina corner from Switzerland’s Gregor Kobel in the final moments of regulation.<\/p>\n In the first half of extra time, Argentina’s Thiago Almada and Lautaro Mart\u00ednez were both shown yellow cards. Meanwhile, Switzerland managed to keep the match level despite being down a man.<\/p>\n Argentina’s Julian Alvarez celebrates his goal in extra time that proved to be the game-winner. (Photo by Carl Recine\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n However, in the 112th minute, Argentina’s Julian Alvarez called game with a beauty from way out to punch Argentina’s ticket to the semifinals<\/a>.<\/p>\n Unreal.<\/p>\n How many more scares are Argentina fans going to be able to take?<\/p>\n Argentina tacked on another just as added time began to extend their lead to 3-1.<\/p>\n It’s worth noting that Messi did not score in this game, ending his scoring streak \u2014 which dated back to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar \u2014 at a stunning nine games.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP<\/a><\/p>\n The semifinal matchups are<\/a> now set, and they are doozies.<\/p>\n![\"Lionel](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/Lionel-mesi-swiss.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Switzerland's](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/switzerland-tying-goal.jpg\")
<\/p>\n![\"Julian](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ch\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/alvarez-winner.jpg\")
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