KANSAS CITY, Missouri : Holders Argentina struck twice in extra time through Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez to beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 on Saturday and book a World Cup semi-final against England.
Lionel Messi’s side kept alive their bid to become the first nation to successfully defend the World Cup since Brazil in 1962, ending Switzerland’s best tournament run in more than seven decades.
Switzerland, appearing in their first World Cup quarter-final since 1954, saw their hopes dented when Breel Embolo was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 72nd minute after being penalised for simulation.
The match appeared destined for a penalty shootout before Alvarez curled a superb strike into the top corner in the 112th minute, leaving goalkeeper Gregor Kobel with no chance.
Martinez sealed the victory in the final minute of extra time, calmly converting the rebound after Thiago Almada’s effort was saved.
“We’re used to suffering,” Almada said.
“We come from being champions and now being among the top four is not easy at all. We want to chase glory and put Argentina at the very top.”
Argentina took the lead in the 10th minute when Alexis Mac Allister glanced Messi’s corner into the far corner with a deft header, handing Switzerland their first deficit of the tournament.
The Swiss, missing injured leading scorer Johan Manzambi, gradually grew into the contest and repeatedly tested Emiliano Martinez after the break.
Their persistence paid off in the 67th minute when Dan Ndoye combined with Ricardo Rodriguez before sliding his finish through the legs of the Argentina goalkeeper to level the score.
Five minutes later Switzerland were reduced to 10 men after Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation. The decision followed a lengthy video assistant referee review that overturned the referee’s initial booking of Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes.
Swiss coach Murat Yakin criticised the decision after the match.
“I know that FIFA will protect their referee, but this rule destroyed our game today, and it is incredibly painful,” he said.
“And to be eliminated in that way hurts a lot. Unfortunately, we have to accept it.”
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Switzerland resisted sustained Argentina pressure throughout normal time and much of extra time.
Messi, playing in his sixth World Cup at the age of 39, came close to winning it in stoppage time but saw a powerful effort flash narrowly wide.
Argentina finally broke through in the closing stages of extra time as Alvarez’s curling effort put the South Americans ahead before Martinez added a third to spark celebrations among the Argentina supporters.
“We had to suffer a lot. We knew they were a physical team and that gave us a lot of trouble,” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said.
“Today we had luck on our side because one of their players was sent off. We could have played better but it’s a big achievement to be in the semi-finals.”
Argentina will face England in Atlanta on Wednesday for a place in the World Cup final.
“It doesn’t matter whether it’s England or Norway,” Scaloni said.
“We’re going to come up against a team that plays very well and has a great coach.”
