Argentina beats Switzerland in extra time to reach World Cup semifinals
Julian Alvarez scored in the 112th minute as Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 and set up a semifinal against England.
By Sofia Marchetti · World Affairs Correspondent
2 min read
Argentina moved into the World Cup semifinals Saturday night with a 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland in Kansas City, Missouri, The Associated Press reported. The defending champion needed a 112th-minute goal from Julian Alvarez to break open a tense quarterfinal before Lautaro Martinez added another goal in the final seconds.
According to AP, Argentina will face England on Wednesday in Atlanta for a place in the final. England advanced earlier Saturday by beating Norway 2-1.
AP reported that Alexis Mac Allister gave Argentina a goal from a Lionel Messi corner kick, but Switzerland answered in the second half through Dan Ndoye. Ndoye’s equalizer came in the 67th minute and put pressure on an Argentina team trying to keep its title defense alive.
The match changed soon after Switzerland’s goal, AP reported. Leandro Paredes was initially shown a yellow card for a tackle on Breel Embolo, but video review showed Embolo had gone down before the Argentina midfielder made contact.
Under the World Cup’s mistaken identity protocol, according to AP, the booking was changed. Embolo had already received a yellow card earlier in the match, so the decision led to his dismissal and left Switzerland with 10 players.
AP reported that it was the second time in the tournament that a yellow card had been reversed under that protocol. The rule permits the video assistant referee to step in when the wrong player is booked or sent off.
Even with the numerical advantage, Argentina did not settle the match until late in extra time. AP reported that Alvarez scored from distance in the 112th minute, putting Argentina ahead after Switzerland had held on deep into the match.
Martinez then scored with only seconds remaining in extra time, according to AP, stretching the final margin to 3-1. The late goal made the scoreline look more comfortable than the match had been.
Messi did not score, AP reported, ending a nine-game scoring run in World Cup play. His bid for a second World Cup title continues with Argentina now two wins from retaining the trophy.
This story draws on original reporting from NPR.