Messi's last dance goes on: Argentina in semis

Defending champions Argentina and Switzerland met at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City in the World Cup quarterfinal. Winning the contest 3-1 after extra time, Argentina advanced to the semifinal and took another important step toward defending their title. Lionel Messi's journey at what is likely his final World Cup thus continues.

Although Switzerland started the match on the front foot, it was Argentina who found the first goal. In the 10th minute, from Lionel Messi's pinpoint corner delivery, Alexis Mac Allister glanced an elegant header into the far corner to put the defending champions ahead. Taking control of the game after the goal, Argentina confined Switzerland to harmless spells of possession.

In the second half, Switzerland's pressure paid off. In the 67th minute, Dan Ndoye, slipped in behind the defence by Ricardo Rodríguez, rolled the ball under Emiliano Martínez from a tight angle to level the score. However, Switzerland's joy did not last long; Breel Embolo, who had been jostling with Argentina's defence throughout the match, was sent off with a second yellow card for attempting to win a foul, leaving Switzerland with 10 men.

Ten-man Switzerland's resilient defence could not be breached again in normal time. The man who unlocked it, in the 112th minute, was Julián Álvarez; the young star brought the crowd to its feet with an exquisite curling strike into the top corner from outside the box. In the dying moments of extra time, Lautaro Martínez calmly slotted a rebound that fell to him after a counter-attack into the bottom right corner to make it 3-1.

Argentina's captain Messi, whose side has now won six out of six at the tournament, did not score in this match but played his part in the win with an assist; he also retains his lead in the Golden Boot race with eight goals. The fairytale run of Switzerland, playing their first quarterfinal since 1954 and competing without young star Johan Manzambi, came to an end. Argentina will face England in the semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Image: Yahoo Sports

Match by the numbers: Goals — Mac Allister 10', Ndoye 67', Álvarez 112', Lautaro Martínez 120+1; Red card — Embolo (Switzerland); Messi 1 assist (leads Golden Boot with 8 goals); Argentina 6 wins from 6 at the tournament.