Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra time in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City on the night of Saturday 11 July (Sunday morning Pakistan time, 12 July). Julian Alvarez scored a stunning goal in the 112th minute to seal it, sending defending champions Argentina into the semi-finals for the sixth World Cup in a row.
Argentina vs Switzerland: Match Result and Goals
Alexis Mac Allister got Argentina on the board in the 10th minute, but Switzerland equalized in the 67th minute on a goal by Dan Ndoye, sending the match into extra time.
Argentina needed a late winner and Julian Alvarez provided it with a golazo from outside the penalty area in the 112th minute. That broke Swiss hearts. Lautaro Martinez then delivered a dagger in the waning moments for a final scoreline of 3-1.
Argentina took the lead through Mac Allister, who glanced a header into the far corner from a Messi corner, taking Messi’s tally of assists across six World Cups to 10.
Key Moments from Argentina vs Switzerland
- 10th min: Mac Allister heads Argentina ahead from a Messi corner assist
- 67th min: Dan Ndoye equalises for Switzerland, taking the game to extra time
- Red card: Switzerland reduced to 10 men, making the extra period even harder for the Swiss
- 112th min: Julian Alvarez golazo from outside the box puts Argentina 2-1 up
- Late: Lautaro Martinez seals a 3-1 win
What This Win Means for Argentina
The hard-fought victory for Lionel Scaloni’s men at Arrowhead Stadium means the top four teams in the FIFA rankings will contest the semi-finals of the 2026 tournament. Argentina are now unbeaten in their past 12 World Cup matches as they attempt to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain their World Cup crown.
Saturday’s game was an attritional affair against a Swiss team seeking to reach the World Cup semi-finals for the first time. Argentina did not play their best football, but the champions found a way, as champions always do. For Pakistani fans, this Messi-led Argentina side, chasing back-to-back World Cup titles, is one of the great stories of the tournament.
England Also Through After Beating Norway
The other quarterfinal on the same day was just as exciting. Jude Bellingham scored twice to lift England past Haaland and Norway 2-1 and into the World Cup semi-finals.
Bellingham collected Anthony Gordon’s pass, burst into the box at speed and slotted home on his weaker left foot to give England the lead. Manager Thomas Tuchel introduced Bukayo Saka and Eberechi Eze at half time to keep the pressure on Norway, and England held firm for the win at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Finals Schedule
France and Spain are on one side of the draw, England and Argentina on the other. This is the first World Cup ever with the semi-final spots occupied by the top four teams entering the tournament. Here is the full remaining schedule:
| Match | Teams | Venue | Date (Pakistan Time, PKT) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semi-final 1 | France vs Spain | AT&T Stadium, Dallas | Wednesday, 15 July, midnight PKT |
| Semi-final 2 | England vs Argentina | Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta | Thursday, 16 July, midnight PKT |
| Third-place match | Losers of semi-finals | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami | Sunday, 19 July, 2:00 AM PKT |
| Final | Semi-final winners | MetLife Stadium, New Jersey | Monday, 20 July, midnight PKT |
All Pakistan times (PKT = UTC+5) are approximate. The USA Eastern times are 3 PM ET for each match.
Quarterfinal Results in Full
All four quarterfinals at FIFA World Cup 2026 are now done. Here is a quick recap:
| Date | Match | Result | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 July | France vs Morocco | 2-0 | Gillette Stadium, Boston |
| 10 July | Spain vs Belgium | 2-1 | SoFi Stadium, Los Angeles |
| 11 July | England vs Norway | 2-1 | Hard Rock Stadium, Miami |
| 11 July | Argentina vs Switzerland | 3-1 (AET) | Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City |
Who Fans in Pakistan Should Watch Now
The two semi-finals are must-watch events for football lovers across Pakistan. The England vs Argentina semi-final alone is worth staying up for. These are two teams with a long history in World Cup football, and with Messi and Bellingham both in brilliant form, it will be a very special night. France vs Spain is equally tough to call, with Mbappe and Pedri both shining all tournament.
For all official match information, schedules, and ticketing, visit the official FIFA World Cup 2026 website. You can also follow the full bracket and tournament history on Wikipedia’s 2026 FIFA World Cup page.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Argentina vs Switzerland score at World Cup 2026?
Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 after extra time in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Goals came from Mac Allister (10th min), Ndoye for Switzerland (67th min to equalise), then Julian Alvarez (112th min) and Lautaro Martinez in the final minutes.
Who scored the winning goal for Argentina against Switzerland?
Julian Alvarez scored the crucial goal in the 112th minute with a spectacular long-range effort. Lautaro Martinez added a third goal late in extra time to seal the 3-1 win.
Who are the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finalists?
The four semi-finalists are France, Spain, England, and Argentina. France face Spain on 15 July (Dallas), and England face Argentina on 16 July (Atlanta), with the final on 20 July at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
When is the FIFA World Cup 2026 final and where?
The FIFA World Cup 2026 final is scheduled for Sunday, 19 July 2026 (Monday morning in Pakistan) at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, also called New York New Jersey Stadium for the tournament.
