Argentina edge Switzerland in extra time to reach World Cup semi-finals

KANSAS CITY: Argentina survived another taxing knockout match on Saturday, beating Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in Kansas City to book their place in the World Cup semi-finals.

The South Americans looked set for an easier evening when Alexis Mac Allister put them ahead after 10 minutes, getting on the end of a Lionel Messi corner with a glancing header that beat Gregor Kobel and found the far corner. It was the first time Switzerland had fallen behind in the tournament.

But the Swiss side, missing injured top scorer Johan Manzambi, who had contributed three goals and two assists, refused to fade. After a quiet first half, they began creating repeated problems for Emiliano Martinez, forcing the Argentina goalkeeper into several important saves as the pressure grew.

That spell was rewarded in the 67th minute. Dan Ndoye combined with Ricardo Rodriguez on the left and then finished through Martinez's legs to make it 1-1, celebrating in front of a television camera as Swiss supporters reacted loudly.

Red card turns the match

Switzerland's task became harder when Breel Embolo was sent off in the second half after receiving a second yellow card for simulation. The decision followed a lengthy VAR check over mistaken identity, with the referee reversing an initial move to caution Argentina's Leandro Paredes. Embolo left in tears, while Switzerland coach Murat Yakin said the moment changed the game just as his side were building momentum and he was preparing an attacking change.

Speaking after the defeat, Yakin criticised the law behind the decision.

We were punished because of a rule that, in my opinion, is completely unacceptable. I don’t understand it, it’s very painful … This rule destroyed our game today,

He added:

Unfortunately we have to accept it.

Yakin also praised his players' effort despite being reduced to 10 men.

This team has so much passion. Despite the fact we were one man down, we gave it all. I’m extremely proud of everyone.

Alvarez settles it late

Argentina pushed Switzerland back for long stretches after the dismissal, urged on by a crowd that made Arrowhead Stadium sound heavily in their favour. Messi, appearing in his sixth World Cup at the age of 39, nearly won it in stoppage time, only for his powerful shot to flash just wide.

Switzerland seemed on course to drag the quarter-final to a penalty shootout, but Julian Alvarez finally broke through in the 112th minute with a curling finish into the top corner. Lautaro Martinez then added Argentina's third at the death.

The winning goal was Alvarez's first of the tournament and earned him the man-of-the-match award. After the game, he said Argentina had again been forced to come through difficult circumstances, following an extra-time 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the last 32 and another 3-2 victory over Egypt after a dramatic late comeback.

Obviously you have to suffer — you have to know how to suffer,

Alvarez said.

That’s how the matches are playing out right now.

The opponents we’ve faced have played very well, too. There are things we can improve on our end as well, but in a World Cup things happen the way they happen, the teams are very strong.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged his side had benefited from the sending-off and said the performance had room for improvement even though the result carried them into the last four.

We had to suffer a lot. We knew they were a physical team and that gave us a lot of trouble,

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.

At the final whistle, Swiss players dropped to the turf in disappointment, while Argentina's players remained on the field celebrating with their supporters. Messi marked the moment by taking off his shirt and swinging it above his head in front of the Argentina end.