Drama for Switzerland
Goals in extra time! Argentina advances to the semifinals
Defending champion Argentina narrowly secured the final semifinal spot at the World Cup in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Despite an early lead and playing with a man advantage for much of the game, the South Americans didn’t clinch their 3-1 victory over Switzerland in the quarterfinals in Kansas City until extra time. In extra time, Julian Alvarez (112') sealed the victory for Argentina with a dream goal. As a result, the reigning world champions, led by superstar Lionel Messi, will face England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta.
Kronen Zeitung als bevorzugte Google-Quelle hinzufügen Alexis Mac Allister had put the favorites ahead with a header off a Messi corner kick (10th minute). Against an Albiceleste side that was largely harmless offensively for long stretches, Dan Ndoye (67th minute) equalized. Shortly thereafter, Swiss striker Breel Embolo was sent off with a yellow-red card following a VAR review for diving (72').
With a man advantage, Argentina pressed for the winning goal, which Alvarez finally secured in extra time with an unstoppable shot into the far top corner. Shortly before the final whistle, “super sub” Lautaro Martinez (121') scored the final goal on a counterattack. The Swiss thus missed out on reaching a World Cup semifinal for the first time; in 1954, their bid at the home World Cup had failed with a 5–7 loss to Austria.
Argentina Settled for the Lead
Argentina’s head coach Lionel Scaloni opted for the same starting lineup as in the comeback victory against Egypt (3–2). The Swiss were once again without rising star and top scorer Johan Manzambi (knee problems). Nevertheless, Murat Yakin’s squad started the match boldly and controlled the action with extended periods of possession. But it was the Argentines who celebrated first in front of the 69,045 spectators at the Kansas City Chiefs’ stadium: Messi curled a corner kick toward the near post, where Liverpool’s Mac Allister headed the ball precisely into the far corner.
There was little in the way of creative play from the Albiceleste; the world champions managed their lead without expending much energy. The Swiss were allowed to control the game but posed little threat against a compact Argentine defense. It wasn’t until just over an hour had passed that the match picked up pace. During a period of sustained pressure from the Swiss, Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez was forced to make saves on a header by Ndoye (65th minute) and a long-range shot by Granit Xhaka (66th minute). A minute later, Ndoye combined with Ricardo Rodriguez to break into the penalty area and scored from a tight angle, the ball going through Martinez’s legs.
Embolo’s Unnecessary Dive
However, the momentum lasted only briefly for Yakin’s team. That’s because Embolo needlessly went down in a tackle with Leandro Paredes deep in his own half. Since the Argentine was cautioned by referee Joao Pinheiro, the VAR stepped in. After reviewing the video, Embolo was sent off with the tournament’s first yellow-red card; the 29-year-old disappeared into the locker room in tears.
In the 85th minute, Messi had the chance to win the game, but the exceptional player’s chip shot from five meters was saved by Gregor Kobel. Shortly afterward, the 39-year-old fired just wide (92nd minute). In the 99th minute, Kobel saved the Swiss from elimination with a save on a bicycle kick by Lisandro Martinez, sending the match into extra time.
In extra time, Argentina pressed for the winning goal with a half-hour-long onslaught around the Swiss penalty area. Kobel was there time and again, including to stop a shot by Messi (112th minute). A few seconds later, Alvarez fired from distance; the Atlético striker thus secured another late victory for Argentina in the knockout stage. Martinez also got his name on the scoresheet
Argentina – Switzerland 3–1 (1–1, 1–0) after extra time
Kansas City, 69,045 spectators, Referee Pinheiro (POR)
Goals: 1–0 (10') Mac Allister
1–1 (67') Ndoye
2–1 (112') Alvarez
3:1 (121.) La. Martinez
Argentina: E . Martinez – Molina (85' Montiel), Romero (106' Otamendi), Li. Martinez, Tagliafico (78' Gonzalez) – De Paul (85' La. Martinez), Paredes (110' Lopez), Fernandez (91' Almada), Mac Allister – Messi, Alvarez
Switzerland: Kobel – Zakaria (96. Jashari), Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez (90.+5 Cömert) – Xhaka, Freuler (115. Vargas) – Sow (86. Widmer), Rieder (86. Muheim), Ndoye (86. Amdouni) – Embolo
Yellow cards: Almada, La. Martinez, Lopez; Embolo
Yellow-red card: Embolo (72.)
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