Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time, Embolo sent off for simulation in World Cup quarterfinal
Alexis Mac Allister's early goal was cancelled out by Dan Ndoye, but a red card for Breel Embolo for simulation left Switzerland short. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez struck in extra time to send Argentina to a semifinal with England.
Match flow
Argentina opened scoring in the 10th minute when Alexis Mac Allister headed in from a corner delivered by Lionel Messi. Switzerland equalised in the 67th minute through Dan Ndoye, who finished a combination with Ricardo Rodriguez. The game turned in the 72nd minute when Breel Embolo was shown a second yellow card and sent off after a VAR review ruled he had simulated a foul. Initially, referee Joao Pedro Pinheiro booked Argentina's Leandro Paredes for the incident, but VAR alerted him to a case of mistaken identity. On review, he rescinded Paredes' card and booked Embolo for diving. It was Embolo's second yellow, following a first-half caution, making him the first player dismissed at a World Cup for simulation in a neutral zone.
Switzerland, forced to play with ten men for the remaining 18 minutes of regulation and extra time, held firm. Argentina dominated possession but saw a Mac Allister header miss and a Messi shot drift wide before the 90-minute mark.
- Alexis Mac Allister scores from a Messi corner
- Dan Ndoye equalises for Switzerland
- Breel Embolo sent off for simulation after VAR review
- End of regulation, score 1-1, Switzerland with 10 men
- Julian Alvarez puts Argentina ahead
- Lautaro Martinez seals the 3-1 win
Extra time
Argentina took control in extra time. Julian Alvarez restored the lead in the 112th minute, and Lautaro Martinez sealed the win with a goal in the 120+1 minute. The match was Argentina's 13th World Cup contest that went to extra time, a record. It was also the first game of the 2026 tournament in which Lionel Messi did not score.
History and record
Argentina had met Switzerland in two previous World Cup finals. They won 2-0 in the 1966 group stage and edged a 1-0 victory in the 2014 round of 16, with Angel Di Maria scoring in the 118th minute. The Kansas City quarterfinal extended that perfect record.
Semifinal line-up
Argentina will face England in the semifinals on Wednesday 15 July. England advanced by beating Norway 2-1 after extra time. The other semifinal pits France against Spain on Tuesday 14 July.
Tribute to Rattin
Argentina wore black armbands in memory of Antonio Rattin, a legendary Argentine midfielder who died at the age of 89. Rattin captained the national team at the 1966 World Cup and remains a revered figure.
