Argentina book England showdown by overcoming mighty challenge from Switzerland

Kenneth Fox

Argentina overcame a mighty effort from a 10-man Switzerland squad to claim a 3-1 extra-time victory in Kansas City and set up a semi-final clash with England.

Switzerland looked up to the challenge of the defending champions in the first 10 minutes of the match, dominating possession but unable to find a way through the Argentinian defence.

Their defensive efforts were rewarded in the 10th minute when Alexis Mac Allister headed home a Lionel Messi corner. The goal was Argentina’s fastest of the tournament so far.

Switzerland continued to try and generate something dangerous, but were routinely unable to find the decisive ball they needed.

It was not until the 44th minute that they finally found a decent opportunity at the back of the net, receiving a free-kick opportunity on the left side of the box.

However, Remo Freuler pushed his attempt too far and the ball sailed harmlessly over the goal line.

The Swiss continued building pressure into the second half, finally drawing some activity from Argentinian goalkeeper Emi Martinez in the 60th minute – a diving save needed to stop a header from Breel Embolo.

Martinez was suddenly at the centre of the action, batting away another header from Dan Ndoye before repelling a booming shot from deep from Granit Xhaka.

Switzerland’s ascendancy finally paid dividends in the 67th minute, Ndoye at the receiving end of a nice one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez, generating a tiny bit of space for himself and finding the far corner of the goal.

However, their momentum came to a screeching halt just after the 70-minute mark.

What was initially given as a yellow card to Leandro Paredes for a challenge on Embolo was reversed by VAR and instead Embolo was booked for a dive – his second yellow of the match.

Embolo was visibly distraught at the decision, but his protests were given no mind as a team staff member accompanied him back to the change room.

Switzerland were suddenly down a man and Argentina promptly took charge, camping in their attacking third and probing for a breakthrough.

Messi, who had been kept relatively quiet up to this point, looked likely to be the man for Argentina once again when he found himself in space at the top of the box, but was unable to curl his shot attempt inside the right post.

Switzerland appeared to be content to push the result to penalties as extra time began, sitting deep and allowing Argentina to explore for a winner.

They were forced to endure multiple Argentinian chances, including a Messi free-kick in the 100th minute, which flew into the wall, while very rarely braving an attack of their own.

But their defensive stubbornness finally relented in the 112th minute, Julian Alvarez delivering a gorgeous strike from outside the box which dipped just under the top-right corner of the crossbar – Lautaro Martinez ultimately sealing the win with a breakaway goal at the start of added time.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni told fifa.com: “The truth is that luck was on our side today, because they had a player sent off and, from there, the team went on the attack.

“We have to be realistic, we have things to improve on, but winning is always better. That said, what this team achieved today is historic. Even though we could have played better, being in a semi-final again is historic.”