Julián Álvarez Stuns with 112th-Minute Goal as Argentina Advances to World Cup Semifinals

Julián Álvarez sent defending champion Argentina back to the World Cup semifinals with a long-range strike in the 112th minute against Switzerland, securing a 3-1 victory on Saturday night.

What happened?

Argentina dominated the match, but Switzerland's defensive-minded approach kept the score level until the 67th minute, when Dan Ndoye tied the game. However, a yellow card was overturned using the "mistaken identity" protocol, and Switzerland's Breel Embolo was sent off, leaving his team to defend with 10 players.

Argentina took advantage of the numerical superiority, with Lautaro Martínez scoring in the final seconds of extra time to seal the win. Alexis Mac Allister also scored off a corner kick from Lionel Messi, who saw his nine-game World Cup scoring streak end.

Why it matters for Julián Álvarez

Julián Álvarez's goal was a crucial moment in the match, as it broke the deadlock and gave Argentina the momentum they needed to advance. The victory also extends Argentina's 12-match World Cup unbeaten streak.

What comes next?

Argentina will face England in the semifinals on Wednesday in Atlanta. The Three Lions beat Norway 2-1 earlier in the day, and the match promises to be an exciting encounter between two of the top teams in the tournament.

Argentina has made its base in Kansas City for the past month, training at the home of MLS club Sporting Kansas City while winning over thousands of new fans. The team's victory on Saturday night was celebrated by a heavily pro-Argentina crowd that included Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

The match was played in brutally hot and humid conditions, but the temperatures began to fall with the setting sun, producing a picturesque setting for the 100th match of an expanded World Cup.

Lionel Scaloni's squad has looked quite beatable in the knockout rounds, needing extra time to squeak past tiny Cape Verde and rallying from a 2-0 deficit in the final 11 minutes of regulation to beat Egypt. However, they have shown their resilience and determination, and will be looking to continue their winning streak against England.

The Swiss, meanwhile, were playing their first World Cup quarterfinal since 1954, but they still have never made a semifinal, nor have they beaten Argentina in eight meetings: three of those in the tournament that matters the most.

Argentina's victory sets up a mouth-watering semifinal clash with England, who have been one of the top teams in the tournament so far. The match promises to be an exciting encounter between two of the best teams in the world.