FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-Final: Argentina extend Switzerland’s last eight curse
FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-Final: Argentina locked horns with Switzerland in the World Cup quarter-final as they look to go the distance yet again.
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland
Argentina continue the pursuit of their title defence after yet another hard-fought win. On this occasion, they needed extra time to overcome a stubborn Swiss side.
The defending champions started well with Alexis Mac Allister flicking a header just wide. The Liverpool midfielder then put his side ahead when he glanced Lionel Messi’s corner in the 10th minute beyond Gregor Kobel. However, Switzerland came back strongly.
Djibril Sow had a long-range effort saved by Emiliano Martinez, and they continued to remain in ascendancy heading into the break. The second half saw Martinez thwart Dan Ndoye and Breel Embolo, while Granit Xhaka also went close to bringing Rossocrociati level. Their efforts paid off in the 67th minute.
Ndoye played a brilliant one-two with Ricardo Rodriguez and finished expertly past Martinez. This was a well-deserved equalizer, and Murat Yakin’s side had every reason to believe they could knock out the South American side, having been better of the two teams. The game then changed drastically in the 72nd minute.
Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow card after appearing to bring down Embolo near the touchline. But VAR intervened and the referee was asked to check for a case of mistaken identity. On replays, it seemed Embolo had dived, and he was sent off for simulation, having already been booked in the first half.
Argentina grew in the game afterwards, but Switzerland defended stoutly and gave nothing away. They had late chances but couldn’t prevent the game from going into extra-time.
With the sweltering heat of Kansas City, there was a lack of energy from both sets of players. The game, however, was settled through a moment of sheer brilliance. Messi’s shot was parried away by Kobel, but Jose Manuel Lopez laid the ball off for Julian Alvarez. The Atlético Madrid forward curled in an unstoppable shot from 25 yards to beat Kobel in the 112th minute and give La Albiceleste the lead.
They then sealed the game in stoppage time of the second half, after Lautaro Martinez slotted home following a rebound from Thiago Almada’s effort.
Curva Analysis
Switzerland once again had a consistent showing in an international tournament but fell at the familiar hurdle. This was the sixth time they reached the quarter-final of a major tournament but have failed to progress each time.
In Kansas City, they showed no indications of being overawed by the occasion despite going behind early against Argentina. They played with conviction and levelled the game. They looked likely to score another goal until Embolo’s second yellow card for mistaken identity changed the complexion of the game.
They had every reason to be aggrieved with the decision and the fact that the defending champions got away with their physical play. The South American side committed 14 fouls, but none of their players received a yellow card until extra time. Still, it is remarkable how consistent the Swiss side have been over the years at many tournaments, and they will hope that the quarter-final curse can be broken soon.
For Lionel Scaloni’s side, it was another case of getting the job done. They won in extra time against Cape Verde in the round of 32 and then completed a stunning comeback against Egypt in the last 16 to win 3-2 at the death. Here, they were second best for most parts, but once again their quality shone through.
It is a case of them being street smart, with the obvious talent at their disposal. Scaloni also deserves immense credit for guiding them through these challenges. He showed tactical flexibility in the last World Cup against different opponents and has made sure that his team doesn’t remain bonded to a system, as well.
They can be ruthlessly fluid when needed with an abundance of quality throughout the pitch, and they can roughen up teams and break down plays when needed. This ability to adjust according to the opponent and situation means it will take some effort and more to stop them from winning a second successive World Cup.
This task will now fall next to England, who meet Lionel Messi and his team in the semi-final on July 15 in Atlanta.
