World Cup – Argentina defeats Switzerland 3-1 to advance to the semi-finals; Messi becomes the all-time leading assist provider in World Cup history.

In the 2026 World Cup quarter-final, Argentina faced Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, USA. The two sides battled fiercely into extra time, with Argentina ultimately securing a hard-fought 3-1 victory.

Argentina got off to a dream start in the first half: just 10 minutes into the game, Messi delivered a corner kick from the left, and Alexis McAllister headed it in at the near post. This gave Messi his tenth assist in the World Cup, putting him at the top of the all-time World Cup assist list.

Neither side managed to score again, and Argentina led 1-0 at halftime. However, Switzerland gradually took control of the game after the break: In the 60th minute, Ricardo Rodriguez crossed from the left, and Brere Embolo's header inside the box was saved by Emiliano Martinez. In the 65th minute, Rodriguez again provided an assist from the left, and Dan Ndoye's header was again denied by Martinez. In the 66th minute, Granit Xhaka unleashed a long-range shot from outside the box, but Martinez made a diving save. In the 67th minute, Ndoye played a one-two with Rodriguez on the left and scored with a low shot, leveling the score.

After equalizing, Switzerland attempted to extend their lead, but the tide of the game turned dramatically. In the 68th minute, Embolo deliberately went down in front of Leandro Paredes, who was pressing him, and the referee immediately showed Paredes a yellow card. After VAR review, the referee ultimately determined that Embolo had dived and showed him a second yellow card, sending him off.

In the second half stoppage time, Argentina gradually gained the upper hand. In the second minute of stoppage time, Enzo Fernandez passed the ball to the left wing, and Messi's long-range shot went slightly wide. In the ninth minute of stoppage time, Messi took a corner kick from the left, and Lisandro Martinez's shot in the ensuing scramble was brilliantly saved by Gregor Kerber.

After a 1-1 draw in 90 minutes, the two sides had to go into extra time to decide the winner. In the 95th minute, Paredes passed the ball to the left wing, and Thiago Almada's low shot from the edge of the box hit the near post. In the 112th minute, José López sent a back pass from the left, and Julian Alvarez curled a shot from outside the box to give Argentina the lead. In the first minute of extra time, Almada's long-range shot was saved by Kerber, but Lautaro Martinez quickly followed up and scored on the rebound.

At the final whistle, Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1, eliminating them from the tournament. This victory propelled them into the semi-finals, where they will face England, led by Harry Kane.

Image source: Internet/X