Mac Allister inspires Argentina past Switzerland in extra-time to reach World Cup semi-finals

Alexis Mac Allister struck early before extra-time goals from Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez sent Argentina into the World Cup semi-finals with a 3-1 win over a stubborn Switzerland in a dramatic quarter-final in [host city/stadium].

Argentina

• Damián Emiliano Martínez Romero (7.3)
• Nahuel Molina Lucero (6.3)
• Cristian Gabriel Romero (7)
• Lisandro Martínez (7.2)
• Nicolás Alejandro Tagliafico (6.6)
• Leandro Daniel Paredes (7.3)
• Rodrigo Javier De Paul (6.7)
• Enzo Jeremías Fernández (6.5)
• Alexis Mac Allister (7.7)
• Lionel Andrés Messi Cuccittini (8.9)
• Julián Álvarez (7.7)

Switzerland

Gregor Kobel (6.6)

Denis Lemi Zakaria Lako Lado (6.2)

Nico Elvedi (6.3)

Manuel Obafemi Akanji (6)

Ricardo Iván Rodríguez Araya (7.3)

Remo Marco Freuler (6.6)

Granit Xhaka (7.5)

Mohameth Djibril Ibrahima Sow (6.3)

Fabian Rieder (6.3)

Dan Assane Ndoye (7.2)

Breel Donald Embolo (5.9)

Substitutions:

Argentina

• Nicolás Alejandro Tagliafico (Nicolás Iván González, 78)
• Rodrigo Javier De Paul (Lautaro Javier Martínez, 85)
• Nahuel Molina Lucero (Gonzalo Ariel Montiel, 85)
• Enzo Jeremías Fernández (Thiago Ezequiel Almada, 91)
• Cristian Gabriel Romero (Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi, 106)
• Leandro Daniel Paredes (José Manuel Alberto López, 110)

Switzerland

• Mohameth Djibril Ibrahima Sow (Silvan Dominic Widmer, 86)
• Dan Assane Ndoye (Mohamed Zeki Amdouni, 86)
• Fabian Rieder (Miro Max Maria Muheim, 86)
• Ricardo Iván Rodríguez Araya (Eray Ervin Cömert, 90)
• Denis Lemi Zakaria Lako Lado (Ardon Jashari, 96)
• Remo Marco Freuler (Rubén Estephan Vargas Martínez, 115)

Ball possession:

The Brighton midfielder, outstanding throughout, gave Argentina a 10th‑minute lead, only for Dan Ndoye’s second-half equaliser to force extra time. With penalties looming, Álvarez pounced in the 112th minute and Martínez sealed victory at the very end of the 120, sparking wild Argentinian celebrations.

Passes:

Lionel Scaloni’s side, who enjoyed 59% of the ball and fired 22 shots to Switzerland’s 11, were made to work hard by Murat Yakin’s disciplined team, whose compact shape and fierce work off the ball repeatedly frustrated Lionel Messi and company.

Defense:

But Argentina’s greater depth, attacking volume and defensive resilience – underpinned by a huge shift from their back line and holding midfielders – ultimately proved decisive in a tense World Cup knockout tie.

Face-to-face:

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Fouls:

Yellow cards:

Top 5 World Cup scorers: