Argentina are through to the semifinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after edging Switzerland 3-1 in a gripping quarterfinal, with Julián Álvarez announcing himself on the biggest stage with one of the goals of the tournament.
It was a moment few saw coming.
Álvarez arrived at the World Cup carrying an injury and spent much of Argentina’s campaign watching from the bench. The forward had failed to score throughout the tournament, but when the world champions needed someone to step up in extra time, he produced a finish worthy of the occasion.
Receiving the ball just outside the area, Álvarez unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner to hand Argentina the lead and send their supporters into wild celebrations. It was his first goal of the tournament, and it could hardly have come at a bigger moment.
The move began with Lionel Messi.
The Argentine captain slipped through the decisive pass, registering his 10th career World Cup assist to become the first player in the competition’s history to reach that milestone. Even at this stage of his career, Messi continues to find new ways to leave his mark on football’s biggest stage.
Argentina went on to seal a 3-1 victory and keep alive their dream of becoming back-to-back World Cup champions.
The result also completed the semifinal lineup. France will face Spain in one last four clash, while England take on Argentina in a heavyweight showdown for the other place in the final.
Only four teams remain. Two matches separate them from the final. Argentina are still standing, and with Messi pulling the strings and Álvarez rediscovering his scoring touch at the perfect time, the defending champions remain firmly on course for another shot at football immortality.
