Not just Messi! "Spider" scores a stunning long-range goal in extra time as Argentina beats 10-man Switzerland 3-1 to reach the semifinals

At 9:00 AM Beijing time on July 12, the defending champions Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in the World Cup quarterfinal to progress to the semifinals. In the first half, Messi set up Mac Allister's header for the opener. After the break, Ndoye leveled the score for Switzerland, and Embolo was subsequently shown a red card. Regular time ended in a draw, leading to extra time. Álvarez netted a spectacular strike in the second half of extra time, and Lautaro Martínez then scored on a rebound. In the semifinals, Argentina will face England.

The defending champions Argentina had a perfect group stage with three wins, showing outstanding form. However, their knockout journey was full of challenges. In the round of 32, Argentina narrowly beat Cape Verde 3-2 after extra time. In the round of 16, they came from behind to edge past Egypt 3-2. Switzerland also finished top of their group, then eliminated Algeria and Colombia to reach the quarterfinals.

Before the match, both teams observed a moment of silence for the late South African international Jayden Adams, who played three times in this World Cup and helped his team reach the round of 32. After kickoff, both sides attempted long-range shots but failed to create any real threats.

In the 10th minute, Argentina earned a left-sided corner. Messi delivered the ball into the box, and Mac Allister rose to head it home, giving Argentina a 1-0 lead.

In the 20th minute, Sow shot from outside the box after receiving a pass, but Martínez was alert and held the ball safely. In the 30th minute, Switzerland launched a counterattack; Embolo latched onto Ndoye's through ball and entered the box with a near one-on-one chance, but Martínez rushed out to block the shot. Shortly after, Messi chipped a pass into the box, but Álvarez mishandled it and missed a good opportunity. The first half ended with Argentina leading 1-0.

After the break, Switzerland increased their attacking intensity. In the 64th minute, R. Rodríguez crossed, and Ndoye's header was saved by Martínez. Two minutes later, R. Rodríguez and Ndoye combined again; Ndoye received the ball and scored inside the box, leveling the score at 1-1.

In the 71st minute, the game took a dramatic turn. Embolo went down, and after reviewing VAR, the referee judged it a dive, showing Embolo his second yellow card, resulting in a red card. Switzerland was now down to ten men, shifting the advantage toward Argentina.

Despite having a numerical advantage, Argentina struggled to create effective attacks, while Switzerland made substitutions to shore up their defense. In the 89th minute, Mac Allister got to the near post to meet a cross but headed just over. In stoppage time, Messi dribbled past a defender on the edge of the box and fired a right-footed shot that curled just wide. Then Lisandro Martínez attempted a side volley in the box, but Kobel saved it. Regular time ended 1-1, sending the match into extra time.

In the first half of extra time, Almada took charge of Argentina's attack. He first shot from inside the box, which Kobel saved, then fired a long-range effort that went just wide.

In the 112th minute of extra time, Álvarez received the ball outside the box, turned past a defender, and curled a magnificent shot into the net, giving Argentina a 2-1 lead. It was Álvarez's first goal of the tournament. In stoppage time of extra time, Argentina launched a counterattack, and Lautaro Martínez scored on the rebound to seal the victory. Argentina ultimately won 3-1, eliminating Switzerland and advancing to the semifinals.

Starting Lineups

Argentina starting XI: 23-Emiliano Martínez, 3-Tagliafico (78' 15-González), 6-Lisandro Martínez, 13-Romero, 26-Molina (85' 4-Montiel), 5-Paredes, 7-De Paul (85' 22-Lautaro Martínez), 24-Enzo Fernández (90' 16-Almada), 20-Mac Allister, 9-Álvarez, 10-Messi

Switzerland starting XI: 1-Kobel, 13-R. Rodríguez (90' 18-Eray), 5-Akanji, 4-Elvedi, 6-Zakaria, 8-Freuler, 10-Xhaka, 15-Sow (86' 2-Muheim), 22-Rieder (86' 3-Widmer), 11-Ndoye (86' 23-Amduoni), 7-Embolo

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