Kansas City Stadium hosted the final quarter-final of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Argentina secured a dramatic 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland to book their place in the semi-finals.
Argentina made a composed start and took the lead in the 10th minute. Lionel Messi delivered an excellent corner and Alexis Mac Allister rose highest to head home the opener.
Switzerland responded with a powerful effort from Gabriel Su in the 20th minute, but Emiliano Martínez gathered comfortably. The Argentina goalkeeper was called into action again in the 31st minute, producing an excellent save in a near one-on-one situation against Breel Embolo to preserve his side's advantage heading into halftime.
Switzerland increased the pressure after the break in search of an equalizer. Embolo forced another save from Martínez with a header in the 60th minute before Dan Ndoye's header was brilliantly tipped away five minutes later.
The Swiss pressure finally paid off in the 67th minute when Ndoye exchanged passes with Ricardo Rodríguez before finishing clinically to level the score at 1-1.
Switzerland's task became significantly harder in the 72nd minute as Embolo was sent off after receiving a second yellow card for simulation following a VAR review. The referee had initially awarded Switzerland a free-kick and booked Leandro Paredes, but the decision was overturned after intervention from the video assistant referee.
Argentina pushed for a late winner in normal time. Messi came closest in stoppage time when his effort narrowly missed the target, while Gregor Kobel produced an outstanding save to deny Lisandro Martínez's acrobatic overhead kick, sending the match into extra time.
Argentina maintained their attacking momentum in the additional 30 minutes. Thiago Almada struck the side netting early in extra time before Messi forced another impressive save from Kobel in the 112th minute.
Moments later, Julián Álvarez produced the decisive moment of the match. The striker unleashed a superb strike in the 112th minute to restore Argentina's lead, sparking wild celebrations among the Albiceleste supporters.
With Switzerland throwing numbers forward in search of another equalizer, Argentina struck again deep into stoppage time. Lautaro Martínez capped off a swift counterattack with a composed finish in the first minute of added time at the end of extra time (120+1), sealing a 3-1 victory and putting the result beyond doubt.
Argentina will face England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium.
