Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time, Julian Alvarez stunner

sportsJul 12, 2026391,192

Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in Kansas City on July 11, 2026, as Julián Álvarez curled a long-range strike in the 112th minute to break a 1-1 tie. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring from a Lionel Messi corner, and Switzerland had equalized through Dan Ndoye in the 67th minute. Switzerland finished with 10 players after Breel Embolo was sent off when VAR overturned a yellow shown to the wrong player under the mistaken identity protocol. Lautaro Martínez added a goal with seconds left in extra time to make the scoreline 3-1. Messi’s nine-game World Cup scoring streak ended, but Argentina, the defending champions, advance to face England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta. The match reignited debate over VAR and the tournament’s use of the mistaken identity rule, a protocol used for a second time at this World Cup.

Kai Ryssdal

@kairyssdal.bsky.social

Well. I’ve stayed off my phone bc I had to tape the Switzerland-Argentina game last night to watch this morning. First of all, that was a technically correct but tough second Caution for Embolo. Props to Switzerland for hanging on. Also, Lindsay Graham wut??

60944d ago

Steven T. Dennis29

Diving is a plague on all sports. He complained after the game that it was only reviewable because the ref incorrectly carded the Argentinian player. He should have just apologized.

Packy Anderson19

He can be immediately replaced with an equivalent GOP senator, so there's no need to hide his death. Schrödinger's Senator, OTOH, can't be replaced without a special election, which the GOP strongly suspects they'd lose. So the gentleman from KY needs to stay "alive" as long as possible.

Anna Rompage15

They say they go in threes It’s like Christmas in July

alars18902.bsky.social10

Scott Jennings just got off the phone with him and said they spoke for twenty minutes or so. Sen. Graham said he felt great and was looking forward to seeing Mitch McConnell soon.

cranberry8

It's a great day here in South Carolina.

Luke Doran6

First yellow was dumb, dive was obvious. He can only be mad at himself

The Associated Press

@apnews.com

BREAKING: Argentina beats Switzerland 3-1 in extra time and joins England, France and Spain in the World Cup semifinals.

7545d ago

Steven D Ward5

Are there enough yellow and red cards for them to advance? That said Alvarez's goal was a banger.

Ain’t Complicit 🇺🇸4

Colonizers vs nazis a little too on the nose

“The Well Read Bonnet” 🖕🏽🤷🏽‍♀️3

Well at least when Trump gives the winner the trophy it won’t be super awkward.

Marterlor1

As always. I had lost interest already.

Skoinguud 🇨🇦1

Barely. They needed the advantage after the questionable foul and subsequent red card against Switzerland.

Rafael1

I bet they paid for it

Quoting this

Keanu Heydari11

A disaster for Barthians the world over.

No Score Draws ✍🏻⚽

@noscoredraws.com

Managed to watch the whole of last night's games but then fell asleep IMMEDIATELY so only now catching up with the drawings, but take my word for it when I say Julian Alvarez looks like this

Just a completely rubbish drawing of, allegedly, Argentina forward Julian Alvarez

7344d ago

Christopher Hale

@christopherjhale.bsky.social

In 2014, Pope Francis joined the Swiss Guard to watch his native Argentina face Switzerland in the World Cup.

5344d ago

Jeff Rueter

@jeffrueter.bsky.social

Wrote about Julián Alvarez during Atléti's run to the CL semis. He's become quite a match-winner in recent years, finally getting his due as a leading man lately. www.theguardian.com/football/202...

2845d ago

Miguel Delaney

@migueldelaney.bsky.social

Alvarez finally came alive at this World Cup, and it happened as Arsenal’s competition for him may be easing Aletico really don’t want to sell to Barca/Madrid PSG have cooled, as they don’t want to sell Barcola to Arsenal www.independent.co.uk/sport/footba...

2444d ago

John Townley

@johntownley.bsky.social

Johan Manzambi spoke with Emi Martinez after Switzerland were beaten by Argentina in Kansas, with the goalkeeper ending their conversation with a beaming smile, pointing at himself, and saying: "Going to Villa?!" An exciting piece of business now being finalised. #AVFC

2244d ago

BladeoftheSun

@bladeofthes.bsky.social

Would Argentina have beaten Switzerland without the dodgy Red Card from their 12th player the Ref?

2444d ago

Taeshul. A Bugbear.5

Tbh, Embolo's first yellow was correct and his second was right too. Throwing himself to the ground like he did was embarrassing and he was rightly punished for it. Would they have won without it? We'll never know.

John V 🟡🟡🟡🟡🐝🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🍷☕️🦋👀2

Red card wasn’t dodgy. First was correct and second for clear and deliberate simulation was also correct. Nothing further to discuss really 🤷‍♂️

rickaircrewman.bsky.social2

It won’t be a football match on Wednesday. It’ll be theatre created by the nine person team of officials influenced by others outside of the game to fit an agenda. If the competition so far is anything to go by.

Jester1

They wouldn't have beaten Egypt without dodgy decisions. England next up for referee cheating.

Nancy Armour

@nrarmour.bsky.social

No, there is no grand conspiracy to rig the World Cup for Lionel Messi and Argentina. The VAR review that gave Switzerland's Breel Embolo a second yellow was the right call.

2445d ago

guerrieroc.bsky.social3

Indeed. The red card was absolutely deserved. Truly a stupid stupid dive / piscinazo

Josh Medina3

Two things can be true at one, it’s called nuance Nancy

Charlie Wu2

I mean, the calls for Argentina are definitely so soft that Charmin is trying to find the secrets to that level of softness. But that call specifically is correct.