Messi, Argentina Eliminate Switzerland, Final Match Stats, Highlights and Updated World Cup Bracket

Argentina can't keep getting away with this. Or can it?

The reigning World Cup champion escaped an upset bid for the third time in the 2026 knockout round with a 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland.

Julian Alvarez scored on an otherworldly attempt from outside the box in the 117th minute to put Lionel Messi and Co. into the semifinals.

Match Stats

	Shots	Shots on Goal	Corners	Fouls
Argentina	22	7	8	14
Switzerland	11	5	2	18

The win wasn't without controversy, though, as Switzerland forward Breel Embolo was sent off in the 72nd minute after he received his second yellow card for simulation.

Initially, the referee ruled for a yellow card on Leandro Paredes, but after a trip to the VAR screen, it was judged that Embolo dove. A yellow card was then issued to Embolo, who previously picked up a yellow earlier in the contest.

The controversial call was made five minutes after Dan Ndoye equalized for Switzerland.

Ndoye cut in from the left and found a patch of space in the bottom of the net to beat Emiliano Martinez.

Argentina defended for most of the game prior to the red card because of an early goal scored by Alexis MacAllister.

MacAllister nodded home a Messi corner kick to earn the early advantage in the 10th minute.

Argentina scored a third through Lautaro Martinez in the 121st minute. Martinez scored off a rebound from a Thiago Almada shot.

The win was the third dramatic victory in a row for Argentina, who needed some late-game heroics to beat Cape Verde and Egypt in the previous two rounds.

Argentina is now on to the semifinals, where it will face England in Atlanta on Wednesday.