Argentina survive Switzerland to set up England semi-final
Argentina advanced to the World Cup semi-finals with a chaotic extra-time win over Switzerland, setting up a historic clash with England that the defending champions will enter with significant fatigue.
Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time on Saturday in Atlanta to reach the World Cup semi-finals, where they will face England in three days. The defending champions needed a curling strike from Julian Álvarez and a late goal from Lautauro Martínez to secure victory after squandering an early lead. The win continues a taxing tournament pattern for Lionel Scaloni’s side, who have repeatedly flirted with elimination.
Argentina took an early lead from a Messi corner and appeared in control until a defensive breakdown allowed Switzerland to equalize in the second half. Even after a controversial Swiss red card, Argentina struggled to finish the match, with Messi missing a pair of good chances. For the second time in three knockout games, the team was forced to play 120 minutes, leaving them with just three days of rest.
This physical toll is a notable vulnerability for a squad that has relied on late heroics rather than dominance. Argentina narrowly escaped Cape Verde in the last 32 and required a miraculous comeback against Egypt in the last 16.
“Every game in the World Cup, we are seeing that they’re like this,” Álvarez said. “Sometimes it’s our turn [to suffer], but it’s also the same for our opponents. Tons of extra time, all of that. Whatever the case is, we know we will fight till the end. As long as we win, it’s fine.”
The semi-final rekindles one of global football’s most intense rivalries, steeped in political and historical significance. It will be the first time Messi features in a fixture previously defined by clashes like Maradona versus Shilton, or Beckham versus Simeone.
Scaloni attempted to downplay the occasion. “This is just a football game, OK?” he said. “That’s what I can say. It is a football game and we will be playing against a very tough opponent with an excellent coach. And this is a football game. And that is all.”
Should England overcome a fatigued opponent, they will meet either Spain or France in the final. Scaloni, who ended a near three-decade trophy drought to become Argentina’s most successful coach, views the ongoing struggles as a core psychological advantage.
“To make the World Cup semi-finals you have to suffer,” Scaloni said. “We did it in Qatar as well … Ultimately we always find the solutions, and in the end tonight we made it possible.”
