Argentina captain, Lionel Messi, did not score any goal in his side’s gruelling quarter-final encounter with Switzerland, but his team managed to shrug off the Swiss in the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Argentines found their way through the Swiss defence through Alexis Mac Allister early in the first half. They controlled the game till the end of the half.
The Swiss entered the pitch in the second half with determination and vigour and were rewarded in the 67th minute as Dan Ndoye latched on to a through ball to slot home an angled low shot beyond Emiliano Martinez in the Argentine goal to even the scores.
Swiss Attacker, Breel Embolo received a second yellow for diving but the game wore on till the end of 90 minutes.
Argentina took the lead in the second half of extra-time through Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez put the game to bed in the injury time of the half.
The 3 – 1 defeat of Switzerland pitches Argentina against England in a semi-final match that promises to be everything on Wednesday. That encounter will provide the litmus test for the defending champions, Argentina, who have struggled to beat Cape Verde, Egypt and now, Switzerland.
To get to the semi-finals, England overcame Mexico in a gritty 3 – 2 victory and survived Norway scare, coming from a goal down to win 2 – 1 on the night.
England are hoping to win a major trophy for the first time in 60 years, while Argentina are eyeing to be the second team to win the world cup back-to-back since Brazil in 1962.