Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez of Argentina scored in the final moments of extra time, clinching a dramatic 3-1 quarter-final victory against 10-man Switzerland on Sunday, thereby establishing a formidable semi-final matchup against England in Atlanta.
Outcome: Argentina triumphed against the 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra time, securing a highly anticipated semifinal versus England.
Goals: Alexis Mac Allister (10′), Dan Ndoye (67′), Julian Alvarez (112′), and Lautaro Martinez (121′).
Lionel Messi provided the assist for Mac Allister’s initial goal.
Red card: Breel Embolo of Switzerland was dismissed in the 72nd minute after collecting a second yellow card for simulation.
The triumph guaranteed that the leading four teams in the FIFA rankings advanced to the World Cup semifinals.
Argentina remains unbeaten in their last 12 World Cup matches as they pursue a consecutive World Cup victory, a feat last accomplished by Brazil in 1962.
Mac Allister’s goal concluded Switzerland’s streak of 17 hours and 10 minutes without conceding during World Cup qualifying or the finals.
Argentina has now netted goals in 15 consecutive World Cup matches. Only Uruguay (16), Hungary (17), Germany (18, on two occasions), and Brazil (18) have recorded longer scoring runs.
Argentina became the inaugural team in World Cup history to score twice within the same half of extra time in multiple matches during a single tournament.
Argentina and England will face each other in the World Cup for the first time since 2002. Since 1986, Argentina triumphed in their 1998 encounter by penalties, while England secured a 1-0 victory in 2002.
Lionel Messi’s nine-match World Cup scoring streak halted, yet he continues to seek a second World Cup crown.
