Could anyone have predicted a straightforward victory? Argentina appeared to be heading for a tense penalty shootout with just eight minutes of extra time remaining against a resilient ten-man Switzerland. The South American side was at risk of regretting their earlier dominance, which began when Alexis Mac Allister scored an early header. However, the match slowed considerably, and when the impressive Dan Ndoye equalized midway through the second half, Argentina found themselves jolted into action.
Despite Lionel Messi’s relentless efforts, it was Julián Álvarez who delivered the game-changing moment. He cut onto his right foot and unleashed a spectacular shot from 25 yards out, finding the top left corner of Gregor Kobel’s goal. This stunning strike set the stage for Argentina’s highly anticipated semi-final against England on Wednesday in Atlanta, a matchup that has not been contested since the infamous Hand of God incident 40 years ago. Switzerland, on the other hand, could only wonder what might have been had Breel Embolo not received a second yellow card just five minutes after Ndoye’s equalizer for diving.
Initially, it was Switzerland expected to withstand pressure, as they had successfully done against Colombia. Instead, they were breached within just ten minutes, much to the dismay of head coach Murat Yakin. Argentina’s first real attacking move resulted in a corner after a deflected shot from Mac Allister. From the subsequent corner, Messi’s delivery found Mac Allister, who leapt between Embolo and Djibril Sow to direct a header that, although it seemed to loop awkwardly, found its way into the far corner of the net. This early goal provided Argentina with a crucial platform to control the game.
Switzerland started the match with determination, pressing Argentina effectively. Sow narrowly missed an opportunity for a significant strike, while Ndoye made his presence felt on the left flank. There were signs that they could exploit Argentina’s underlying anxieties, which have surfaced in critical moments before.
Mac Allister’s goal quelled those fears and it is fair to say the remainder of the first half was uneventful. Argentina controlled the game, assuming their opponents lacked the creativity or, more importantly, the courage to challenge them. However, Argentina was not free from mistakes; shortly after the half-hour mark, Lisandro Martínez, who should have dealt with Ndoye’s through ball, allowed Embolo to slip past him. Fortunately for Argentina, Emiliano Martínez was quick to intervene, preventing a potential scoring opportunity.
A reckless challenge on Leandro Paredes by Embolo, whose yellow card had significant repercussions, briefly animated a crowd that had grown quiet due to the match’s lack of excitement. While the game lacked thrills, the atmosphere remained vibrant under the expansive midwestern sky, with Argentina’s supporters filling the air with their songs.
With the match stagnating, Argentina sought a second goal to secure their position. After the break, a well-placed pass from Messi found Nahuel Molina making a run down the right, but he missed his shot wide. Álvarez’s subsequent attempt was deflected off target, yet Switzerland’s need for an offensive approach lifted the game’s tempo.
Then, the match shifted tempo dramatically. Switzerland began to press down the wings, sensing a weakness as Martínez caught Embolo’s header. They started moving the ball with greater intention, contrasting sharply with their earlier lackluster performance. In the 65th minute, Ndoye rose to meet a cross, and Martínez was forced to parry the shot. Granit Xhaka then presented another challenge that required an awkward save from his former Arsenal teammate, and when Ndoye scored, it came as no surprise.
As Switzerland found their footing, they were quickly set back by Embolo’s reckless behavior. Referee João Pinheiro had issued a yellow card to Paredes for a foul on Embolo, which seemed to incite Embolo’s retaliatory actions. A VAR review confirmed his dive, leading to Embolo receiving a second yellow card. After his protests were in vain, he exited the pitch in tears.
Messi attempted to capitalize on the situation with a delicate chip over Kobel but was flagged for offside. Had that shot counted, it might have been enough to shatter Switzerland’s resolve. Mac Allister then missed a clear header as the game neared the end of regulation. Just before extra time, Kobel made a stunning save from Lisandro Martínez. As the extra half-hour unfolded, it seemed unlikely either side would score until Álvarez and Martínez found their stride, sealing a spot in the semi-finals against England.
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