Julian Alvarezs exceptional curling strike and Lautaro Martinezs finish took Argentina past 10-player Switzerland after extra time in Kansas City to set up a World Cup 2026 semi-final against England on Wednesday. Atletico Madrid forward Alvarez, who was the subject of a �129 million bid from Real Madrid in June, netted in spectacular fashion in the 112th minute, with Martinez slotting in nine minutes later as part of a counter-attack to condemn Die Nati to another cruel defeat in the fixture, which they lost in the 118th minute in the last 16 in 2014.Alexis Mac Allisters superb header put Argentina ahead after 10 minutes from a corner by Lionel Messi, who remains the joint-tournament top scorer on eight goals but failed to find the net for the first time in seven knockout matches in the competition.Switzerland had much of the momentum during the first half and capitalised on another spell of superiority to equalise in the 67th minute, when Dan Ndoye cut inside from the left and fired in following a neat interchange with Ricardo Rodriguez.Murat Yakins team had forward Breel Embolo sent off for diving five minutes after their goal, performing admirably to hold their own before their undefeated run since the start of qualifying came to an end.Table of ContentsArgentina vs Switzerland: Embolo sees red at World CupAlvarez deserved goal in Argentina vs ColombiaWorld Cup 2026: Argentina team vs SwitzerlandWorld Cup 2026: Switzerland team vs ArgentinaWorld Cup 2026: Argentina vs Switzerland statsArgentina vs Switzerland: Embolo sees red at World CupEmbolo was inconsolable at his dismissal, which was decided following a Video Assistant Referee check.If its by the letter of the law and theyve seen it as simulation, it has to be a yellow card, former Jamaica midfielder Jobi McAnuff told ITV of the second caution. To send the player off for that in a game of this magnitude I get it, hes trying to win a penalty, [but] it just feels a bit harsh.Just looking at the replay, I feel for him and for his teammates.Alvarez deserved goal in Argentina vs ColombiaEx-England winger Andros Townsend was suitably impressed by Alvarezs goal. He sees the space in the far corner, pointed out Townsend.He whips it right in the top corner. What a goal he worked tirelessly throughout the game.He deserves that. He was unbelievable all game.World Cup 2026: Argentina team vs SwitzerlandArgentina were unchanged from their 3-2 win over Egypt in the last 16, in which they recovered from 2-0 behind with 12 minutes of regular time remaining.Argentina starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nahuel Molina, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Julian Alvarez, Lionel MessiArgentina substitutes: Juan Musso, Geronimo Rulli, Marcos Senesi, Gonzalo Montiel, Nicolas Otamendi, Facundo Medina, Valentin Barco, Giovani Lo Celso, Exequiel Palacios, Nico Gonzalez, Thiago Almada, Giuliano Simeone, Nico Paz, Jose Manuel Lopez, Lautaro MartinezWorld Cup 2026: Switzerland team vs ArgentinaJohan Manzambi contributed three goals and four assists for Switzerland before being ruled out of their win over Colombia with an injury to his left knee and the 20-year-old remained sidelined for this contest.Djibril Sow replaced Ardon Jashari in their one change, while defender Luca Jaquez and midfielder Michel Aebischer had muscle injuries and were on the bench.Switzerland starting XI: Gregor Kobel, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Denis Zakaria, Remo Freuler, Granit Xhaka, Djibril Sow, Fabian Rieder, Breel Embolo, Dan NdoyeSwitzerland substitutes: Yvon Mvogo, Marvin Keller, Miro Muheim, Silvan Widmer, Eray Comert, Aurele Amenda, Luca Jaquez, Ardon Jashari, Michel Aebischer, Christian Fassnacht, Ruben Vargas, Noah Okafor, Zeki Amdouni, Cedric IttenWorld Cup 2026: Argentina vs Switzerland statsArgentina have not lost in 12 World Cup matches, which is their longest such undefeated streak in historyThey have scored in each of their 15 World Cup games since losing 3-0 to Croatia during the 2018 group stageWith at least two goals in each of their last 12 outings, Argentina are on the longest run of scoring multiple goals in the competition history (Uruguay had 11 between 1930 and 1954)Messi became the first player to score in six straight World Cup knockout matches against Egypt but his penalty miss ensured the 39-year-old is the only player in history to fail to convert two spot kickat a single edition of the World CupThe captains eight goals at the 2026 edition were the most of any player before the quarter-finals, while only Brazils Ademir (9 in 1950) has ever scored more at a single World Cup among all South AmericansSwitzerland have never beaten Argentina in eight attempts across all competitionsOnly against Russia have Switzerland established a worse record without ever winning (12 times, including games vs USSR)They had been the only team yet to trail at any point across the 2026 World Cup campaign, including qualifiersFrom their 11 World Cup matches against South American opposition, Switzerland have one win (D3 L7). That victory came in a 2-1 win over Ecuador in 2014, though they did progress past Colombia in the last roundEmbolo had been directly involved in 13 goals across his last 17 international games across all competitions, scoring 11 and assisting two Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Argentina National Football Team Cristian Romero Emiliano Martinez Enzo Fernandez FIFA World Cup granit xhaka Julian Alvarez Lionel Messi Rodrigo de Paul Switzerland National Football Team World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read LIVE Argentina v Switzerland: World Cup 2026 text commentary, updates, goals and stats as Julian Alvarez makes score 2-1 Jon Fisher 12th July, 2026 Tuchel labels England sloppy and lucky in spiky World Cup interview: How can you ask? 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