Alvarez stunner settles it as Argentina reach a sixth straight semi-final
Argentina beat ten-man Switzerland 3-1 after extra time at Arrowhead Stadium to reach a sixth consecutive semi-final. Julian Alvarez's extra-time thunderbolt and a late Lautaro Martinez goal broke Swiss resistance after Alexis Mac Allister's early opener had been cancelled out by Dan Ndoye, the tie level at 1-1 after 90 minutes.
How it unfolded: Mac Allister early, Ndoye levels, Alvarez decides
Mac Allister struck inside ten minutes before Ndoye levelled on 67. A Swiss red card left them a man short, and in extra time Alvarez — scoreless until now — curled a stunning effort past Kobel off the far post on 112, with Lautaro adding a late third.
Context: a golazo and a Swiss milestone ended
Alvarez's first goal of the tournament may be its finest, settling a tense tie. Argentina's sixth straight semi-final underlines their consistency. Switzerland, down to ten men, exit after reaching a first quarter-final in 70 years.
The next step: Argentina meet England
Argentina advance to a semi-final with England on July 15 in Atlanta, a tie steeped in 1986 history. With the score level after 90 minutes, our forecast of Argentina to avoid defeat landed before they won in extra time.
What we predicted before the match
🌍 FIFA World Cup · World
Argentina – Switzerland Prediction and Betting Tips
Argentina are heavy favourites with Messi in record-breaking form and champions' resilience, needing only to avoid a 90-minute defeat to reach extra time; the double chance is the measured play against disciplined Switzerland.
Back this tip
Win 160%
Argentina to win
1.70 odds
Total Team 1 Over: 1.556%
Argentina over 1.5 goals
1.95 odds
Total Team 2 Under: 1.558%
Switzerland under 1.5 goals
1.17 odds
Argentina meet Switzerland at Arrowhead Stadium in a quarter-final between the reigning champions and the tournament's overachievers. Argentina, under Lionel Scaloni, arrive as strong favourites, Lionel Messi leading the Golden Boot race with eight goals and a record 21 at World Cups, his side having come from behind in successive knockout ties. Switzerland, under Murat Yakin, are into their first quarter-final since 1954 after edging Colombia on penalties, their run built on organisation and nerve. Argentine quality meets Swiss resilience, with a semi-final at stake. Our forecast favours Argentina to avoid defeat, with a draw heading to extra time.
Argentina
1–1
Switzerland
