Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time on Saturday to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals [1].

The victory keeps the defending champions in contention for a second consecutive title and eliminates Switzerland from the tournament. The match took place at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri [2], [3].

The contest remained tight through regulation play, forcing the game into extra time. Argentina eventually broke the deadlock against a 10-man Swiss side [4]. The turning point arrived in the 112th minute when Julián Álvarez scored with a long-range strike [5].

"Julián Álvarez sent defending champion Argentina back to the World Cup semifinals with a long‑range strike in the 112th minute against Switzerland," the Associated Press said [5].

Switzerland struggled to maintain their defensive structure after receiving a red card, leaving them to compete with only 10 players on the field [4]. Argentina capitalized on the numerical advantage to secure the 3-1 final score [1].

"Argentina downed 10‑man Switzerland in extra time in their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter‑final," FIFA.com editorial staff said [1].

The match was played on July 11 local time in the U.S., though it concluded at 01:00 UTC on July 12 [6], [7]. The result ensures Argentina continues its pursuit of a historic run in the tournament hosted by Canada, Mexico, and the U.S.

“Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time on Saturday to advance to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals.”

Argentina's progression to the semi-finals reinforces their status as the team to beat in the 2026 tournament. By overcoming a resilient Swiss side, the defending champions demonstrate the tactical depth and composure required to win in high-pressure knockout stages, particularly when managing games that extend into extra time.