Julián Álvarez’s Extra-Time Strike Sends Argentina Past Switzerland in World Cup Quarterfinal

Argentina once again found themselves needing extra time to advance, but Julián Álvarez delivered a brilliant finish in the 112th minute to put his team ahead 2-1 against a resilient Switzerland side reduced to 10 men. The final score was 3-1 after Lautaro Martínez sealed the win in the dying moments of extra time.

The match saw Argentina dominate with a man advantage for over 20 minutes after Breel Embolo received a controversial red card for simulation. Despite being a player down, Switzerland’s defense held firm inside their penalty area, frustrating Argentina’s attempts to score during regular time.

Álvarez’s long-range strike caught goalkeeper Gregor Kobel off guard, curling into the far post and breaking the deadlock. This goal shifted momentum dramatically as Switzerland had to abandon their defensive stance to chase an equalizer, leaving gaps that Martínez exploited to extend Argentina’s lead in the 121st minute.

The Turning Point: Embolo’s Red Card

Breel Embolo went down near the sideline after contact with Leandro Paredes, who was immediately shown a yellow card by referee João Pinheiro. Because of Paredes’s booking earlier in the half, VAR was allowed to review the incident, revealing Embolo fell without contact. Pinheiro then issued a second yellow card to Embolo, reducing Switzerland to 10 players.

This situation mirrored an earlier World Cup moment where a player was punished for diving following an initial booking, showing how early fouls can influence VAR reviews. Without Paredes’s card, the dive might have gone unpunished and the game continued with both teams at full strength.

Switzerland’s Resilience and Argentina’s Late Heroics

Switzerland’s equalizer came just before Embolo’s dismissal when Dan Ndoye headed past Emiliano Martinez, rewarding the Swiss for their improved attacking presence after halftime. Yet Argentina’s lead was restored thanks to Mac Allister’s early header from a Messi corner, and despite losing the advantage temporarily, they found another way to win.

Argentina’s pattern of needing late goals continued, echoing their previous matches where comebacks or extra-time winners were necessary. Messi struggled to break down the Swiss defense, making Álvarez’s decisive strike even more vital. It marked the Atlético Madrid striker’s first goal of the tournament in only his third start.