Argentina overcome Switzerland in extra time to set Up England semi-final (Photos)

Defending champions Argentina overcame a stubborn Switzerland 3-1 after extra time on Saturday to book their place in the semi-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, where they will face England in a blockbuster showdown.

Lionel Scaloni’s side looked to be cruising after taking an early lead, but Switzerland fought back impressively before being reduced to 10 men.

Despite their numerical advantage, Argentina were forced deep into extra time before moments of brilliance from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez sealed victory at Kansas City Stadium.

Argentina made the perfect start after just 10 minutes.

Lionel Messi, continuing his remarkable tournament, delivered an inviting corner that Alexis Mac Allister met with a towering header to beat Gregor Kobel and register his second goal of the competition.

The early breakthrough appeared to settle the reigning world champions, who controlled possession through Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Mac Allister while limiting Switzerland’s attacking opportunities.

Messi, operating in a deeper creative role, repeatedly troubled Murat Yakin’s disciplined defence with his passing and movement.

Switzerland, however, emerged from the break with renewed belief.

Dan Ndoye proved increasingly influential down the right flank and finally drew his side level in the 67th minute after exchanging passes with Ricardo Rodríguez before squeezing a composed finish beyond Emiliano Martínez from a tight angle.

The momentum appeared to swing in Switzerland’s favour until dramatic VAR intervention changed the contest just five minutes later.

Initially, Leandro Paredes was booked following a challenge on Breel Embolo, but a video review determined that the Swiss striker had simulated contact.

Embolo, who had already been cautioned in the first half, received a second yellow card and was sent off, leaving Switzerland to defend with 10 men for the remainder of the match.

Argentina poured forward in search of a late winner, with Messi, Lautaro Martínez and Nicolás González all forcing Kobel into important saves, while Mac Allister headed narrowly wide as Switzerland resisted wave after wave of pressure.

With penalties looming, the breakthrough finally arrived in the 112th minute.

Substitute José López laid the ball into the path of Julián Álvarez, who produced one of the goals of the tournament, curling a magnificent right-footed strike into the top corner beyond Kobel’s outstretched dive.

Switzerland's resistance was finally broken, and Argentina completed the victory in stoppage time of extra time.

Thiago Almada led a swift counterattack before Kobel denied his initial effort, only for Lautaro Martínez to react quickest and convert the rebound into an empty net.

The victory extends Argentina’s unbeaten World Cup run to 12 matches since their opening defeat to Saudi Arabia in 2022 and keeps alive their bid to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the FIFA World Cup title.

Switzerland bowed out after their finest World Cup campaign since reaching the quarter-finals on home soil in 1954.

Yakin’s men had impressed by eliminating Algeria and Colombia during the knockout stages and pushed the world champions to the limit despite finishing the contest with 10 players.

Argentina turns their attention to a highly anticipated semi-final against England, with a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup final at stake.

Photos