Álvarez Extra-Time Stunner Sends Argentina into Semi-Finals, 10-Man Switzerland Out

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Did anyone think they would do it the easy way? Argentina were labouring towards penalties with eight minutes of extra time left against a dogged, supremely organised 10-man Switzerland. There was a high risk they would curse throwing away a game that felt like a cruise when Alexis Mac Allister headed them into an early lead. The game ground down to walking pace and they received an almighty jolt when the impressive Dan Ndoye equalised midway through the second half.

Lionel Messi, for all his various attempts, could not bail them out this time. Instead it was Julián Álvarez, cutting on to his right foot and sending a quite stunning finish into Gregor Kobel’s top left corner from 25 yards, who provided the magic and gave this summer a semi-final for the ages. They will face England on Wednesday in Atlanta, a fact rubber-stamped when Lautaro Martínez scored a late rebound. Messi will contest that fixture for the first time, 40 years since the Hand of God. Switzerland will think it could have been them had Breel Embolo not received a second booking five minutes after Ndoye’s goal for diving.

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