Argentina took the lead inside 10 minutes through Alexis Mac Allister but could not kill off a stubborn Switzerland side until extra time. The quarter-final at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City ended 3-1 to the holders after Breel Embolo saw red and Julian Alvarez plus Lautaro Martinez struck late.
The game followed a familiar pattern for Lionel Scaloni's men. Bright start, frustrating middle, then the grind. Mac Allister's early goal suggested a routine night. Instead Switzerland grew into the contest and levelled through Dan Ndoye on 67 minutes.
Three minutes later came the decisive moment. Embolo, who had earlier scored what looked like a legitimate equaliser only for it to be chalked off, received a second yellow for simulation. From hero to villain in the space of moments. Down to 10 men, Switzerland's resistance eventually cracked.
We are going to come up against a team that plays very well and has a great coach.
That was Scaloni's measured assessment of the semi-final opponent. The Argentine coach struck a realistic note afterwards, admitting his side had been made to suffer. "Today we suffered," he said. "We knew it was a difficult team, and they put us in real difficulty. We have to be realistic — there are things to improve — but winning is always better. That said, what this group did today is historic. It is historic to be in a semi-final again."
England await in Atlanta. The semi-final on 15 July pits the two nations who know each other rather too well from past tournaments. For British fans the tie carries extra bite. Argentina, as defending champions, arrive with pedigree and pedigree players. England head there buoyed by their own extra-time win earlier in the day.
Alvarez found the net in the 112th minute to restore the lead. Martinez added the third nine minutes from the end of extra time. The scoreline flattered Argentina slightly, yet the numerical advantage after Embolo's dismissal proved too much for the Swiss to overcome.
