Argentina secured their place in the 2026 World Cup semifinals after a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Switzerland in the early hours of Saturday at Kansas City. The triumph carried particular significance for Serie A, as Inter Milan striker Lautaro Martínez played a pivotal role in eliminating three Italian league players from the tournament.
Argentina battles through to semifinals
The match began explosively, with Argentina taking the lead just 10 minutes in when Mac Allister headed home a Lionel Messi corner kick. However, Switzerland equalized in the 68th minute through Ndoye, and the tension escalated when Embolo received a red card for simulation after attempting to get teammate Paredes penalized. Despite the numerical advantage, Argentina struggled to break through in regulation time.
With extra time looming, Julián Álvarez broke the deadlock in the 112th minute with a stunning right-footed strike. Lautaro Martínez, introduced in the 85th minute, then sealed the victory with a counterattack strike in the 121st minute, capping off a 3-1 result that sent Argentina through.
A heated confrontation overshadows triumph
The night wasn’t without controversy. A tense verbal exchange erupted between Lionel Messi and Portuguese referee Pinheiro following a hard tackle on the Argentine captain in the first half. Messi, visibly frustrated, fired back at the official, insisting, “Talk to me properly, don’t disrespect me.”
Despite the altercation, Messi contributed significantly to the victory, recording the assist for Argentina’s opening goal. His performance also cemented his status as the all-time top assist provider in World Cup history.
Next challenge: England awaits in semifinals
Argentina will face England in the semifinals on July 15 in Atlanta—a rematch that harks back to the infamous Hand of God moment from 40 years prior.
