Alvarez and supporting cast step up as Argentina outlast Switzerland in extra-time thriller

Argentina advanced to the World Cup semifinals after a hard-fought 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland, with Julian Alvarez scoring a stunning long-range strike in the 112th minute to break a deadlock. According to multiple reports, the defending champions were pushed to the limit by a resilient Swiss side that had equalized earlier in the second half.

Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a header from Lionel Messi's corner, as CaughtOffside reported. But Switzerland leveled through Dan Ndoye, setting up a tense remainder of regulation and extra time. It was not Messi's night offensively, as ESPN noted that "it wasn't Messi coming up with the goods, but Argentina's supporting cast stepped up after the Swiss defense muted their captain."

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ESPNMagic from Julián Álvarez, not Lionel Messi, sees .CaughtOffsideWatch: Julian Alvarez scores a stunner to put Argentina ahead in extra-time

Alvarez, who had struggled throughout the tournament, delivered when it mattered most. Ara reported that "the Atlético de Madrid forward invented a championship goal to unbalance a match that was heading for penalties," describing it as "a rocket into the top corner." football360.com.au added that the goal, valued at the player's reported market price, was one "they'll be talking about for decades to come."

football360.com.au$196m-rated Argentina star scored a goal ‘they’ll be talking about for decades to come’ as Messi makes more World Cup history en route to SFs

Lautaro Martinez added a third goal with seconds remaining in extra time, though the Associated Press (via the East Bay Times and panow.com) noted that the 3-1 scoreline "looked a whole lot easier than it was." Argentina now moves on to face England in the semifinals on Wednesday, as reported by Ara. The victory kept alive the defending champions' hopes of retaining the World Cup, but it required a heroic individual moment from a player who had been written off earlier in the tournament.

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panow.comAlvarez’s 112th-minute goal helps lift Argentina past Switzerland 3-1 and into World Cup semifinalsEast Bay TimesAlvarez’s 112th-minute goal helps lift Argentina past Switzerland 3-1 and into World Cup semifinals