Argentina overcome Switzerland 3-1 in extra time to set up England semifinal
Sports Desk
Julian Alvarez scored a stunning long-range goal in the 112th minute as defending champions Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time to book a place in the World Cup semifinals on Saturday.
Lautaro Martinez added another goal in the closing seconds of extra time, giving Argentina a more comfortable-looking victory than the closely contested match suggested.
Argentina will now face England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta after the Three Lions defeated Norway 2-1 earlier in the day.
Messi's run of scoring in nine consecutive World Cup matches came to an end, although his bid for a second World Cup title remains alive.
The match turned on a controversial decision after Switzerland's equaliser. Argentina's Leandro Paredes was initially shown a yellow card for a challenge on Breel Embolo, but video review found Embolo had been falling before contact. Since Embolo had already received a yellow card earlier, the booking was transferred to him under the World Cup's "mistaken identity" protocol, resulting in a red card and leaving Switzerland to play the remainder of the match with 10 men.
