Argentina into World Cup semifinals as Julián Alvarez’s 112-minute stunner sparks 3-1 win over Switzerland

Julián Alvarez sent defending champion Argentina back to the World Cup semifinals with a long-range strike in the 112th minute against Switzerland that sparked a 3-1 win.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Julián Alvarez sent defending champion Argentina back to the World Cup semifinals with a long-range strike in the 112th minute against Switzerland, while another goal by Lautaro Martínez with seconds left in extra time only served to make the 3-1 victory look a whole lot easier than it was Saturday night.

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Alexis Mac Allister also scored off a corner kick from Lionel Messi, helping La Albiceleste gut out another down-to-the-wire thriller and advance to play England on Wednesday in Atlanta. The Three Lions beat Norway 2-1 earlier in the day.

“We’re among the best four,” Alvarez said, “so we’re meeting our objectives, and we knew it wasn’t going to be easy. The whole match was hard, and we would have loved to have the win earlier, but we tried to get the win however we could.