Argentina secured their place in the 2026 World Cup semifinals with a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in the early hours of Saturday in Kansas City. The win carries significant implications for Serie A, as Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez eliminated three Italian league players from the tournament.

Tense moments on the field

The match began brightly for Argentina, with Alexis Mac Allister heading in Lionel Messi’s corner delivery after just 10 minutes. Switzerland responded through Ndoye in the 68th minute, equalizing before the referee sent off Swiss forward Embolo for simulation after he attempted to get Enzo Fernández penalized.

The dismissal shifted momentum, but Argentina struggled to break down a resilient Swiss defense in regulation time. It wasn’t until extra time that the deadlock was broken: Julián Álvarez curled a stunning right-footed strike past the goalkeeper in the 112th minute, extending Argentina’s lead. Lautaro Martínez, introduced in the 85th minute, sealed the victory with a clinical counterattack finish in the 121st minute, capping the dramatic 3-1 win.

A heated confrontation

The evening took an unexpected turn when Messi confronted the Portuguese official, Pinheiro, after a rough tackle in the first half. The Argentine captain, visibly frustrated, snapped at the referee: “Speak to me properly, don’t disrespect me.” Despite the tension, Messi contributed the assist for the opening goal and reached another milestone by becoming the all-time top assist provider in World Cup history.

Argentina now advances to face England in the semifinals on July 15 in Atlanta, a rematch 40 years in the making since the infamous “Hand of God” incident.