Julian Alvarez scored an extra-time stunner as Argentina beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 and set up a mouth-watering World Cup semi-final conflict with England.
Lionel Messi and Co will face the Three Lions in Atlanta on Wednesday at 8pm UK time, with a spot within the ultimate in opposition to both France or Spain on the road.
It would be the first aggressive assembly between the nations in 24 years.
Despite Switzerland’s constructive begin in Kansas City, they solely had themselves to blame after they fell behind inside 10 minutes. Alexis Mac Allister was twice left unmarked at a nook – and the second time he punished them, by guiding in a header in after being picked out by Messi.
Alexis Mac Allister put Argentina in entrance
Breel Embolo had the Swiss’ most promising likelihood of the primary half, however a mix of Lisandro and Emi Martinez stopped him getting a shot away from simply contained in the field. He had an enormous likelihood to degree shortly after the restart, too, however a world-class block from Lisandro Martinez denied him.
Dan Ndoye’s equaliser pressured additional time
Dan Ndoye and Granit Xhaka then pressured saves from the Argentina goalkeeper after a spell of sustained stress, which lastly paid off when the previous linked up fantastically with Ricardo Rodriguez and fired dwelling from a decent angle to degree the sport.
Breel Embolo was despatched off beneath new mistaken id guidelines
The Swiss elation was shortlived. Five minutes after the equaliser, Leandro Paredes was booked for a foul on Embolo – however under new mistaken identity rules, the VAR really helpful a evaluation and referee Joao Pinheiro as an alternative confirmed Embolo a second yellow card for simulation.
Messi and Mac Allister each had probabilities to win it for Argentina earlier than the ultimate whistle, however they may not discover a method to stop additional time.
Lautaro Martinez added Argentina’s third
Though Switzerland did handle to maintain the reigning world champions at bay for the primary quarter-hour, Julian Alvarez’s stunning strike from 25 yards, into the highest proper nook, took the wind from their sails. Lautaro Martinez added the gloss within the dying embers, and by then, the Swiss race was run.
The key moments from Kansas City
- 10: GOAL! Messi delivers Argentina’s second nook in fast succession and finds Alexis Mac Allister, who heads in unmarked.
- 32: BIG CHANCE! Switzerland’s Breel Embolo is shipped clear, however Lisandro Martinez and Emi Martinez mix to cease him getting a shot away.
- 43: WASTEFUL! Remo Freuler stands over a free-kick in a promising place on the left, however goes for glory regardless of 4 males ready within the field and misses the goal by a ways.
- 50: BLOCK! Incredible from Lisandro Martinez, who recovers to deny a Embolo a sure objective.
- 67: GOAL! Dan Ndoye performs a neat one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez and fires beneath Emi Martinez from a decent angle.
- 72: RED CARD! Embolo is proven a second yellow card for simulation beneath new mistaken id guidelines.
- 89: CHANCE! Mac Allister meets a Nico Gonzalez cross, however heads over from six yards.
- 112: GOAL! Julian Alvarez scores a stunner to restore Argentina’s lead.
- 120+1: GOAL! Lautaro Martinez provides the gloss late on after Thiago Almada’s preliminary shot is stored out.
Argentina have been taken to additional time twice – will that have an effect on them vs England?
Sky Sports’ Dan Long:
In dealing with the reigning world champions, Switzerland had been all the time going to be up in opposition to it of their quest to attain a first-ever World Cup semi-final. But they actually made it tough for Lionel Scaloni’s aspect.
The Swiss had been deserving of their equaliser and may need even pressured a winner, had Breel Embolo not been despatched off. He was inconsolable when he was given his marching orders and for good motive. His dismissal modified the sport.
Once additional time was confirmed, they had been content material to sit again and try to power the lottery of penalties. Unfortunately for them, that is when Argentina got here to life.
But England will probably have been joyful to see their subsequent opponents pushed all the way in which. It’s the second time in three video games they’ve been taken to additional time. Had Enzo Fernandez not scored a 93rd-minute winner in opposition to Egypt within the last-16, it might have been three from three.
Whether or not that impacts Argentina within the semi-finals is up for debate, in fact, however with England having performed an additional half-hour in opposition to Norway, at the least the taking part in area shall be degree on Wednesday evening in Atlanta.