Argentina 3-1 Switzerland AET - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings

Argentina overcome another scrap as Embolo kills intriguing affair

It was a game that, of course, saw Argentina come in as favourites, but Switzerland were by no means counted out. In the words of Drake: Switzerland, can you do sum for me?

As it turns out, they couldn't. They battled and fought after Embolo made their task almost impossible at 1-1 with one of the silliest sending offs I've ever seen, but Argentina managed to come through adversity once more with two extra time goals to reach the semi-finals in a 3-1 win.

Argentina 3-1 Switzerland AET as it happened

There was something of a feeling that Switzerland had the chance to cause a bit of an upset here given the defensive frailties of Argentina. That was reflected in the early going as the notoriously placid Swiss provided somewhat of a contrast to their known political standing and were the aggressors.

They created a couple of half chances, the most noticeable of which ended with Djibril Sow planting his arse on the turf as he air shot what could have been a decent opportunity.

But despite that opening pressure, as inevitable as the rising sun, it was the magical midget (yes, I'm coining that nickname for him) who cast his ray of brilliance across the game 10 minutes in. Largely against the run of play, the reigning champs got a corner. Messi swung the ball delightfully toward the front post, where the unassuming figure of Alexis Mac Allister managed to rise highest between Swiss bodies to head into the far corner.

The next 15 minutes before the hydration break consisted of more Swiss possession as they looked to recuperate after the hammer blow suffered after their first period of positivity.

Again, they were just lacking the impetus and cutting edge that is brought by a player like Johan Manzambi, who suffered that unfortunate injury earlier in the tournament and was absent once again.

Switzerland did manage to formulate the next big opportunity of the match in the 32nd minute when Ndoye hared clear of De Paul and slipped a perfect ball through to Embolo.

The striker's first touch took him the long route but he looked to be clear of Lisandro Martinez before his namesake Emi Martinez rushed out and dived at the feet of the forward to clear everything out and keep his side in front.

The Europeans lack of threat saw the opportunity for Patrick Mahomes to be shown on the big screen in Kansas City which received a big cheer. He was wearing an Argentinian shirt and clearly showing his allegiances, not like he could support his home country anymore, is it?

The flow of Swiss momentum continued until the half time whistle arrived. Despite his calm persona, I can't imagine Murat Yakin was particularly thrilled with his side's exploits or lack thereof. From Scaloni's perspective, it did feel as though the masterplan was being executed to perfection.

Half time: Argentina 1-0 Switzerland

Let me tell you, deja vu at 3am feels more like a fever dream. I know that because Switzerland were once again in control to begin the second half.

Their first chance did come much earlier than in the previous period, though, as Breel Embolo was sent away down the Switzerland right. He drew in two defenders before squaring to Sow who waited too long and was ultimately swallowed up by Martinez who flew in with a last ditch tackle. The the linesman's flag went up, I really hate these delayed offsides man.

Clearly the instruction from Yakin at the half was to do more in forward areas with the possession.

Emi Martinez was required on multiple occasions to keep the Swiss onslaught at bay, including a scrambling stop from a Xhaka long range effort and went horizontal once again to prevent a header from rippling the net.

Then, finally, in the 67th minute (I enjoyed more than I should have at 3:29am) the pressure would result in something tangible.

Dan Ndoye, who was a threat throughout the game played a one-two and continued an intense run into the box before opening up his foot to slot past Martinez into the far corner. 1-1 and goodness me was it coming.

What came next I honestly have no words for. Paredes received a yellow card for a challenge on Embolo. But, after some sweet nothing whispered into the referee's ear from VAR he was advised to look at the decision.

As it turns out, the forward had sprung airborne, before dangling a cheeky leg toward the Argentinian to initiate the most minimal of contact. Unfortunately for him, he was already on a yellow card and the referee then handed him a second for simulation as Embolo left the field distraught.

Now, I'd usually be sympathetic here, but dear me was that an outrageously stupid thing to do having just got back level. Breel Embolo, the only word I have for you is numpty.

As expected, that swung the momentum of the game.

In the 84th minute a scrumptious ball was lofted to Messi who kept himself just onside and rushed onto the ball. Kobel came out to meet him and read the situation perfectly as Messi tried to dink into the net, standing tall and blocking the effort with a big hand.

Another chance went begging as the game headed toward injury time, with a Nico Gonzalez stretch keeping the ball in play and finding the head of Mac Allister who headed over from very handy range.

The closing stages of the added were wave after wave of Argentinian pressure, but the holders couldn't do enough to overcome the stalemate and extra time was on the cards.

Full time: Argentina 1-1 Switzerland

You may have already guessed how extra time would be categorised. If you haven't, it was all Argentina.

The Swiss sat in as a compact back five with their only hope seemingly a rare counter or the lottery of penalties.

Argentina remained patient, but struggles to create anything clear-cut in the first period.

Half time extra time: Argentina 1-1 Switzerland

The second half finally brought the Argentine's their moment.

Julian Alvarez picked up the ball on the left hand side if the box, brought it seamlessly inside as the Swiss struggled to get out to him on tired legs and unleashed an absolute pearler which curled majestically into the top corner beyond a helpless Gregor Kobel.

A goal worthy of winning any match, no less a World Cup quarter-final.

As Switzerland threw bodies forward to try desperately to get back level, Argentina launched a vicious counter attack to put the game to bed.

Led by Thiago Almada, the reigning champs flooded forward in numbers. Almada knocked the ball cleverly around Jashari before having an effort on goal. The strike was saved by Kobel only for the rebound fall kindly into the path of Lautaro Martinez who fired into an empty net to put the game to bed.

3-1 Argentina. Game. Set. Match.

Argentina player ratings

Martinez - 7

Molina - 5 Romero - 6 Martinez - 7 Tagliafico - 6

Paredes - 6 De Paul - 5 Mac Allister - 7 Fernandez - 6

Messi - 7 Alvarez - 8

Substitutes Gonzalez (78') - 6 Montiel (85') - 6 Martinez (85') - 7 Almada (91') - 7 Otamendi (106') - 6 Lopez (110') - 7

Switzerland player ratings

Kobel - 7

Zakaria - 6 Elvedi - 7 Akanji - 6 Rodriguez - 7

Freuler - 6 Xhaka - 7

Sow - 5 Reider - 5 Ndoye - 8

Embolo - 2 (What was he thinking)

Substitutes Muheim (86') - 5 Widmer (86') - 6 Amdouni (86') - 6 Comert (90') - 5 Jashari (96') - 5 Vargas (115') - N/A

Man of the Match: Julian Alvarez

Alvarez was rather anonymous for most of the 120 minutes, but that worldie of a goal simply can't be ignored and was the straw that broke the camel's back for Switzerland.

Alvarez was then involved in the third too courtesy of a tenacious bit of play to win the ball back and set Argentina on their way.

A game with not too many standouts as such brought to life by a moment of illuminating brilliance and some defensive bite - it kind of had to be him.