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Messi’s Argentina lead Switzerland at 2026 World Cup: Live updates
Argentina raced into an early lead with Mac Allister heading in Messi’s corner.
The Athletic Live Team
July 11, 2026 at 10:18 PM EDT
Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
Argentina are leading Switzerland 1-0 in the final quarter-final of the 2026 World Cup
Alexis Mac Allister headed home Lionel Messi’s corner to put the reigning world champions in front
The winners will face England in the semi-finals after they beat Norway 2-1
55’ Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
It is a huge shame for Switzerland that they conceded a header from a corner so early, because they look so well set and organised when defending Argentina with the ball
If this finishes 1-0 they will be kicking themselves
The possession from both sides is a little more scratchy again now though, and a little bit is being left on players all over the place
We could be heading into another rut
Getting the Simeone call in early
There’s real frustration back in Argentina over Lionel Scaloni’s loyalty to the same faces — Nico Gonzalez, Almada, Otamendi … the usual substitutes
All while Paz, Barco and especially Giuliano Simeone barely get a look-in
Simeone, in particular, might be the only player in the squad with the kind of acceleration that could replicate what Angel Di Maria used to offer. So why not give him a shot?
Chances at both ends
51’ Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
What a chance for Switzerland! Embolo is played in behind, he squares for Ndoye — and Lisandro Martinez produces a stunning tackle as the forward takes a touch
Should he have gone first time?
It comes moments after Messi sent Fernandez forward but his snapped shot is well wide of the far post. He also had Alvarez waiting in the box for a similar delivery to what Ndoye received a little later
49’ Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
Early dynamic is as we were. Switzerland penned on the edge of the Argentina box, wanting to build some momentum
Rieder’s turn is sweet but his shot is deflected into the air and easy for Martínez to collect
Tagliafico then goes in pretty heavy on Sow but his challenge is only worth a free kick. I’ve definitely seen yellow cards for less
SECOND HALF: Back in action
46’ Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
And with that, we are back underway for this second half
No changes in personnel from either side at the interval
The players are back in the tunnel and now working out onto the pitch. The Argentina players look pretty relaxed — but there’s a bit of steel in the eyes of their opponents, Switzerland
I wonder if whatever fear there might have been ahead of kick-off, they will now feel a little more capable after 45 minutes in the ring together
Your reactions to the first half
There are more than 400 comments on our discussion page at the moment, and a large portion of them follow this tenor
Erik L:“Man, Argentina are insufferable to watch. Dive, time-waste, dive, time-waste, etc.”
Martin T:“So Paredes can make fouls whenever he wants, but first time he’s touched and is yellow.”
Steven A:“Come on ref, this is getting ridiculous.”
Richard V:“Serious question. Why has no Argentinian player been booked yet? There have been a couple of fouls deserving of a yellow, yes? Repeated holding of Embolo for one. Just asking.”
Get involved yourself, right here
Start saving your change
After learning that tickets for this game were available for around $500, I checked StubHub for the semi-final in Atlanta
The cheapest seat for a potential England vs Argentina match was $3,000 in the nosebleeds
The two teams have not met at a World Cup since June 7, 2002, when England won their group-stage match 1-0 thanks to David Beckham’s penalty
And there is plenty more pointed history underneath that most recent meeting
Freeze frame: Embolo denied
It was a switch in dynamic as Switzerland finally got to transition on Argentina, and it almost brought them an equaliser
Emiliano Martinez and Lisandro Martinez did enough in the end, as Breel Embolo and the ball headed in different directions following the defensive intervention
📸 Luke Hales /
An unfamiliar feeling for Yakin’s team
Prior to this match, Switzerland had yet to trail at any point during both this tournament and all of their qualifying campaign — a total of 11 matches
This is uncharted territory for Murat Yakin’s side
Switzerland simply missing too much
The good news for Argentina: Unlike Cape Verde a couple of games ago, Switzerland haven’t found that gear yet. They simply don’t have the pace or the wide players to actually hurt Argentina’s low block
Without Ruben Vargasor the injured Johan Manzambi, this is a predictable, flat side — whatever Granit Xhaka’s passing range or Dan Ndoye’s running offer on their own
Red shirts owning the ball
Switzerland had 57 per cent of the ball in that first half, with Granit Xhaka (45) and Nico Elvedi (43) having the most touches
In fact, six players had more touches than the most involved Argentinian — and that was Nahuel Molina (33)
Argentina might not mind that though. What they will want is more chances created on the counter, at the very least
An extraordinary Messi stat to enjoy
That assist for Argentina’s opener was Lionel Messi’s10th at the World Cup — all 10 of them supplying different team-mates
- Hernan Crespo — Argentina 6-0 Serbia and Montenegro (2006)
- Carlos Tevez — Argentina 3-1 Mexico (2010)
- Angel Di Maria — Switzerland 0-1 Argentina (2014)
- Gabriel Mercado — France 4-3 Argentina (2018)
- Sergio Aguero — France 4-3 (2018)
- Enzo Fernandez — Argentina 2-0 Mexico (2022)
- Nahuel Molina — Argentina 2-2 Netherlands, Argentina won 6-5 on penalties (2022)
- Julian Alvarez — Argentina 3-0 Croatia (2022)
- Cristian Romero — Argentina 3-2 Egypt (2026)
- Alexis Mac Allister — Argentina 1-0 Switzerland* (2026)
HALF-TIME: Mac Allister goal separates sides
HT: Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
After four untroubled minutes of added time, we get to the break in Kansas City
One breach from a set piece is not how Switzerland wanted to be down, if down at all
The rest has been cagey and not a great watch. But the drama is all there in abundance
What Stu and Phil just said
Argentina are missing a dribbler out wide. This side leans far too heavily on interior play that disciplined teams like Switzerland deny space to — and that, outside of those magical Messi moments, isn’t inspired enough to break through on its own
Di Maria’s stock keeps rising in hindsight. Maybe the most underrated sidekick in the story we tell about Argentina’s 2022 title
Where is Di Maria when you need him?!
Picking up on what Philsaid, it doesn’t feel as though Argentina play with much control. They seem to be a team that relies on moments – and obviously, Lionel Messi tends to be involved in most of them, including the set piece that has given them the lead here
That apart though, they’ve created little
I just said to Adam Crafton, who is next to me, that I think they miss Angel Di Maria — or a player of that type at least
Embolo takes out Paredes for first booking
44’ Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
Speaking of yellow cards, it looks like Paredes has been winding up a few Swiss players — because Breel Embolo has just gone through the back of him
That is quite rightly the night’s first booking
This game is getting a bit bogged down now. Which again, Argentina won’t mind
What a waste
43’ Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
Oh, for goodness sake. Freuler takes the free kick right-footed and curls it over everyone’s head
What a waste
Meanwhile, Messi continues an argument with the referee over something. I guess he gets a little longer to discuss these things than most players before the official tells them to shut up or produces a yellow card
42’ Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
We do now how headed back-pass. Does that count? It comes as Embolo loses possession after dropping into midfield and Argentina counter — but the rest of the move is unconvincing
Now Paredes hacks down Sow and Switzerland have a good opportunity for a free-kick delivery here
