Amir Yaseen

Srinagar, July 12

Champions know how to survive.

Sometimes it’s dazzling football. Sometimes it’s sheer persistence. On Saturday night in Kansas City, Argentina needed both.

After 112 exhausting minutes of frustration against a fearless Switzerland, Julian Álvarez delivered the moment that changed everything – a spectacular curling strike worthy of the World Cup stage – before Lautaro Martínez added the finishing touch as Lionel Scaloni’s side defeated 10-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to book a blockbuster semi-final against England.

For a team chasing back-to-back World Cup titles, it was another reminder that this Argentina side doesn’t panic. It simply keeps coming.

“We suffered today,” Scaloni admitted afterward. “They made life very difficult for us. We have things to improve on, but winning is always better. Reaching another World Cup semi-final is historic.”

Switzerland made sure the holders earned every inch of it.

The Swiss arrived unbeaten in the tournament and having gone more than 17 hours of World Cup and qualifying football without trailing. That remarkable streak ended inside 10 minutes.

Lionel Messi whipped in a trademark corner, and Alexis Mac Allister – one of the shortest players in a crowded penalty area – rose improbably between towering Swiss defenders to power home a header that gave Argentina the perfect start.

It seemed to promise a comfortable evening.

Instead, Switzerland settled quickly and began asking increasingly uncomfortable questions.

Breel Embolo came closest to an equaliser when he broke through the Argentine defence, only for Emiliano Martínez to race off his line and produce another of the tournament’s defining saves.

The Aston Villa goalkeeper has built a reputation for thriving in knockout football, and once again he provided the security blanket Argentina needed.

Messi nearly doubled the lead early in the second half after carving open the Swiss defence with a sublime through ball to Nahuel Molina, but the right-back dragged his effort agonisingly wide.

That miss proved costly.

Switzerland, growing in confidence with every passing minute, finally found the breakthrough they deserved in the 67th minute.

Dan Ndoye, after first seeing one effort heroically blocked by Lisandro Martínez and another brilliantly denied by Emiliano Martínez, made no mistake with his third opportunity, calmly finishing to level the contest and silence the sea of Argentine supporters.

Momentum had shifted.

Then came the turning point.

Just five minutes after the equaliser, Embolo collected a second yellow card for simulation inside the penalty area, reducing Switzerland to ten men and handing Argentina a numerical advantage for the remainder of the match.

The dismissal transformed the contest.

Argentina monopolised possession, probing relentlessly for an opening, while Switzerland retreated into a disciplined defensive block determined to force penalties.

Messi almost settled matters before the end of normal time, gliding inside onto his favoured left foot before curling an effort inches wide of Gregor Kobel’s far post.

Extra time beckoned.

Even with an extra man, Argentina struggled to break through.

Thiago Almada struck the outside of the post early in the additional period, prompting another collective gasp from the crowd.

Finally, with penalties looming, Álvarez produced a piece of individual brilliance befitting the defending champions.

Collecting possession outside the area, the Manchester City striker shifted the ball onto his right foot before bending an unstoppable shot beyond Kobel and into the top corner.

It was a goal that instantly joined the catalogue of memorable World Cup knockout moments.

As Argentina celebrated, Switzerland’s resistance finally cracked.

Moments later, Lautaro Martínez sprinted clear in stoppage time to slot home the third goal, adding gloss to a scoreline that scarcely reflected the balance of the contest.

“It got difficult, even with the extra man,” Álvarez said after receiving the Michelob Ultra Superior Player of the Match award. “But we kept believing. We knew that if we stayed together, the goal would come.”

It eventually did.

The victory keeps Argentina’s dream of consecutive World Cup triumphs alive while extending another remarkable record.

The South Americans have now scored in 15 consecutive World Cup matches, one of the longest scoring streaks in tournament history.

They also became the first team ever to score twice in the same extra-time period in multiple matches at a single World Cup – a testament to their ability to finish games when opponents are running on empty.

For Switzerland, the defeat was heartbreaking.

Murat Yakin’s side matched the world champions for long spells, defended courageously after Embolo’s dismissal and came within minutes of forcing a penalty shootout.

Their tournament ends with immense credit after pushing one of football’s heavyweights to the limit.

For Argentina, however, the road continues.

Awaiting them in Atlanta is England, another European giant inspired by Jude Bellingham’s extra-time heroics against Norway.

It is a semi-final worthy of a World Cup: the defending champions against one of football’s most talented new generations.

And if Saturday’s dramatic victory proved anything, it’s that Argentina still know exactly how to navigate the longest nights.

Match information, quotes, and photos courtesy of FIFA.com