Defending champions Argentina booked their place in the World Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
Alexis Mac Allister gave Argentina an early lead in the 10th minute, heading home from close range after a corner delivered by Lionel Messi. It marked Messi’s 10th career World Cup assist.
Switzerland grew into the contest after a difficult start and showed the vulnerability Murat Yakin had flagged before kick-off. Granit Xhaka led his team with discipline as they worked to contain the champions.
Dan Ndoye brought Switzerland level in the 67th minute when he finished following good work from Ricardo Rodríguez. The goal rewarded a strong second-half spell from the Swiss.
The match turned in the 72nd minute after a highly unusual intervention from VAR that left Switzerland reduced to 10 men. Leandro Paredes was initially booked for a tackle on Breel Embolo near the centre circle.
Officials then invoked the mistaken identity protocol after replays showed Embolo had simulated before any contact was made. Paredes saw his yellow rescinded and Embolo, already booked in the 44th minute, was shown a second yellow and a red card.
It was only the second time in World Cup history that the mistaken identity protocol has been used to overturn a card. Switzerland were forced to defend deep to take the quarter-final to extra time.
Despite being a man down, Yakin’s side held firm until the second period of extra time. Julián Álvarez finally restored Argentina’s lead in the 112th minute after being set up by José López.
Argentina sealed the victory in the first minute of added time in extra time when Lautaro Martínez pounced on a rebound. Thiago Almada’s initial effort had been saved before Martínez converted to make it 3-1.
Messi was held scoreless as his historic nine-game World Cup scoring streak came to an end. The forward remained influential throughout and continued to create chances for the champions.
Reigning champions Argentina were taken to extra time for the second time in the knockout stage this tournament after earlier scares against Cape Verde and Egypt. They once again found a way to survive.
Argentina will now face England in the semi-finals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15.
With France and Spain also through, it is the first quarter-final round since 1986 without a penalty shootout and features the top four ranked teams.
Switzerland’s wait for a first World Cup semi-final appearance continues after another quarter-final exit. They had never reached that stage and leave the tournament despite pushing the champions to extra time.
