Argentina advances to World Cup semifinals, beats Switzerland 3-1 in Kansas City

Julian Alvarez sent defending champion Argentina into the World Cup semifinals with a long-range strike in the 112th minute against Switzerland Saturday, securing a 3-1 victory that sent La Albiceleste to face England on Wednesday in Atlanta.

Alexis Mac Allister also scored off a corner kick from Lionel Messi, helping Argentina gut out another down-to-the-wire thriller at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Lautaro Martinez added a final goal seconds before the end of extra time, though it only served to make the victory appear more comfortable than it was.

Messi's nine-game World Cup scoring streak ended, but his pursuit of a second World Cup title continues. Argentina will face England, which beat Norway 2-1 earlier in the day.

The game turned in the second half on a controversial call. Switzerland had just tied it at 1-1 on Dan Ndoye's goal in the 67th minute when Leandro Paredes was shown a yellow card for a tackle on Breel Embolo. Video showed Embolo falling before contact was made, and because Embolo had already received a yellow card earlier, he was sent off and Switzerland left to defend with 10 players.

It was the second time a yellow card has been overturned using the "mistaken identity" protocol at the World Cup—a rule allowing video assistant referees to intervene when an incorrect player is shown a yellow or red card.