Julián Álvarez, not Messi, delivered for Argentina's last KC World Cup match
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Julián Álvarez scored in the 112th minute to send Argentina to the semifinal.
- Lionel Messi provided a 10th-minute assist to Alexis Mac Allister in the quarterfinal.
- Breel Embolo received a second yellow in the 72nd minute, reducing Switzerland to 10 men.
It took more than 120 minutes of game time, but Argentina gave Kansas City and Arrowhead Stadium another instant classic for the city’s final match.
Lionel Messi, Argentina’s centerpiece and megastar, had inspiring moments throughout the quarterfinal and tallied an assist on a set piece goal in the 10th minute to Alexis Mac Allister. But Switzerland equalized in the 67th minute with a goal from left winger Dan Ndoye.
A controversial second yellow card for Swiss striker Breel Embolo in the 72nd minute dropped Switzerland to 10 players. A yellow card for Argentina midfielder Leandro Paredes was overturned after a VAR review showed Embolo diving to draw a foul.
The red card signalled a chance for La Selección to snatch the lead from the possessive Switzerland side.
As Switzerland subbed on more defenders, Argentina subbed on more attackers, putting their fans in a tense and emotional state with every missed chance as the clock ticked down to extra time.
But in the 112th minute, it was Atlético Madrid star Julián Álvarez, not Messi, who delivered the game-changing moment to send the defending champions back to the semifinal.
Álvarez scorched a curving right-footed goal from just outside the left side of the box, breaking the deadlock. The crowd that nervously cheered their countrymen on, and had silent moments throughout extra time, broke into a thunderous roar inside Kansas City (Arrowhead) Stadium.
The goal that will certainly go down into Argentina and Kansas City lore was his first of the tournament. A final goal from Lautaro Martinez sealed the win in stoppage time of extra time.
“It was a huge release of emotion. I’m very happy,” Álvarez said after the match. “We kept pushing until the end, even though we had the man advantage.”
Worth more than $100 million as an elite goalscorer, he is poised for a big move from his giant Spanish club to another world-renowned European club, yet to be determined.
“We knew the goal would come,” he said. “We’re overjoyed.”
The match marked Argentina’s second World Cup win in Kansas City, their home for the tournament since they began preparations stateside. Amid their quest to become back to back World Cup champs for the first time in 64 years, Argentina has had dramatic wins against Cabo Verde and Egypt in recent days.
Each team they’ve faced in the knockout rounds has taken them to the brink of elimination, but the South American squad continues to be inevitable whether Messi scores or not.
“I think that brings a sweet satisfaction — that thrill of living through the match and suffering right to the end,” forward José Manuel López said. “But I also believe this group plays with the privilege and honor of having won the last World Cup and having the best player of all, and I think that sets us apart.”
La Albiceleste now faces England in the semifinal in Atlanta, pitting Kansas City’s remaining base-camp teams against each other. Both teams have history at stake, with England on the verge of playing for a trophy they haven’t touched in 60 years.
While all four remaining teams, including Spain and France, have individual stars, the best team that works as a unit usually takes home the trophy in the end. Argentina hopes it is them once again.
“The important thing is that we won. As a forward, one always wants to help by scoring goals, but we always have to defend, run and do it all together,” Álvarez said. “While the team wins, we are all happy. In the World Cup, I feel I’ve gone from less to more. Let’s hope that in this final stretch, I am even better.”
