Álvarez Screamer Fires Argentina Past Ten-Man Switzerland in Extra-Time Grind
Another tough, scrappy night for the defending champions. Argentina got there in the end against a plucky Switzerland side, but once again they needed extra time to book their spot in the semis.
It was a tight, scrappy affair for long stretches. Argentina went ahead in normal time through Alexis Mac Allister, only for Switzerland to hit back with a well-taken finish from Dan Ndoye. Things turned feisty from there — Switzerland's Breel Embolo was sent off after a VAR review spotted a blatant dive, leaving his side down to ten men and swinging the momentum Argentina's way.
Even with the extra man, though, Argentina couldn't find a way through in the closing stages of normal time. But once extra time got going, class shone through. In the 112th minute, Julian Álvarez produced a moment of real magic, smashing home a stunning strike from long range that flew past the keeper. That goal looked to be the one that finally broke Swiss resistance.
Lautaro Martínez then added a third right at the death, making the final score look a touch more comfortable than the game actually felt.
Overall verdict: Argentina weren't at their fluent best and had to dig in once more, but bits of individual brilliance from Álvarez, along with the extra man, got them over the line. They'll go into a mouth-watering semi-final against England knowing they'll need to find another gear if they're to keep their title defence alive. Switzerland, meanwhile, can walk away with heads held high — they made life seriously difficult for the favourites.
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