KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Julián Álvarez sent defending champions Argentina into the World Cup semifinals with a long-range strike in the 112th minute against Switzerland, while another goal by Lautaro Martínez with seconds left in extra time only served to make the 3-1 victory look a whole lot easier than it was Saturday night.
Alexis Mac Allister also scored off a corner kick from Lionel Messi, helping La Albiceleste gut out another down-to-the-wire thriller and advance to play England on Wednesday in Atlanta. The Three Lions beat Norway 2-1 earlier in the day.
Messi’s nine-game World Cup scoring streak ended, but his pursuit of a second World Cup title continues.
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The game swung in the second half on a call sure to rile up critics who believe Argentina has been favored in this tournament.
The Swiss had just tied the game on Dan Ndoye’s goal in the 67th minute when Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Breel Embolo. But video showed the Swiss player falling before the Argentina midfielder made contact with him, and since Embolo received a yellow card earlier in the match, he was sent off and Switzerland left to defend with 10 players.
It was the second time a yellow card has been overturned using the “mistaken identity” protocol at the World Cup. The rule allows the video assistant referee to intervene when an incorrect player is shown a yellow or red card.
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With France playing Spain in the other semifinal, it is the first time since FIFA rankings were instigated in 1992 that the top-four ranked teams have all made the semifinals.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
