Julian Alvarez scored an extra-time stunner as Argentina beat 10-man Switzerland 3-1 and arrange 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 closing towards both France or Spain on the road.
It will likely be the primary aggressive assembly between the nations in 24 years.
Regardless of Switzerland’s constructive begin in Kansas Metropolis, they solely had themselves responsible once 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.
Breel Embolo had the Swiss’ most promising likelihood of the primary half, however a mixture of Lisandro and Emi Martinez stopped him getting a shot away from simply contained in the field. He had an enormous likelihood to stage shortly after the restart, too, however a world-class block from Lisandro Martinez denied him.
Dan Ndoye’s equaliser compelled additional time
Dan Ndoye and Granit Xhaka then compelled saves from the Argentina goalkeeper after a spell of sustained stress, which lastly paid off when the previous linked up beautifully with Ricardo Rodriguez and fired dwelling from a good angle to stage the sport.
Breel Embolo was despatched off beneath new mistaken id guidelines
The Swiss elation was shortlived. 5 minutes after the equaliser, Leandro Paredes was booked for a foul on Embolo – however beneath new mistaken id guidelines, the VAR advisable 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 option to stop additional time.
Lautaro Martinez added Argentina’s third
Although Switzerland did handle to carry 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 important thing moments from Kansas Metropolis
- 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 long way.
- 50: BLOCK! Unbelievable from Lisandro Martinez, who recovers to disclaim a Embolo a sure objective.
- 67: GOAL! Dan Ndoye performs a neat one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez and fires beneath Emi Martinez from a good 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 revive Argentina’s lead.
- 120+1: GOAL! Lautaro Martinez provides the gloss late on after Thiago Almada’s preliminary shot is saved out.
Argentina have been taken to additional time twice – will that have an effect on them vs England?
Sky Sports activities’ Dan Lengthy:
In going through the reigning world champions, Switzerland have been all the time going to be up towards it of their quest to achieve a first-ever World Cup semi-final. However they actually made it troublesome for Lionel Scaloni’s facet.
The Swiss have been deserving of their equaliser and may need even compelled 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.
As soon as additional time was confirmed, they have been content material to take a seat again and attempt to power the lottery of penalties. Sadly for them, that is when Argentina got here to life.
However England will probably have been pleased to see their subsequent opponents pushed all the best way. It is the second time in three video games they’ve been taken to additional time. Had Enzo Fernandez not scored a 93rd-minute winner towards Egypt within the last-16, it may have been three from three.
Whether or not or not that impacts Argentina within the semi-finals is up for debate, in fact, however with England having performed an additional half-hour towards Norway, at the very least the taking part in subject will likely be stage on Wednesday night time in Atlanta.
