Argentina Advances to 2026 World Cup Semifinals with Historic Messi Milestones

The defending champions Argentina secured their place in the 2026 World Cup semifinals by narrowly overcoming a numerically disadvantaged Switzerland 3-1 after extra time, following a 1-1 draw in regular time on Saturday in Kansas City. Argentina will face England on Wednesday in Atlanta.

This marks only the third occasion when all four World Cup semifinalists are teams that have previously won the title (1970, 1990). Argentina has now reached the World Cup semifinals three times in the last four editions (2014, 2022, 2026). Prior to 2014, Argentina had not advanced to the semifinals since 1990.

Argentina has played 13 World Cup matches extending into extra time, a record, winning 11 of those including victories decided by penalty shootouts. Switzerland has been eliminated in all four of its World Cup quarterfinal appearances (1934, 1938, 1954, 2026).

Julián Álvarez’s goal in the 112th minute was the second-latest goal Switzerland has conceded in World Cup history, after Ángel Di María’s 118th-minute goal during Argentina’s 1-0 extra-time win in the round of 16 in 2014.

Messi’s Contributions Despite No Goals

Lionel Messi has reached 10 goal contributions in the current World Cup edition, marking the second time he has achieved 10 contributions in a single tournament (after 2022). He is one of only two players to have done this more than once since 1966, alongside Kylian Mbappé (2022, 2026).

Messi’s assist for Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal was his 10th assist in World Cup history, two more than any other player since 1966 (Diego Maradona with 8). These 10 assists were provided to 10 different teammates.

As coach, Lionel Scaloni remains unbeaten in all 10 matches against European teams, with seven wins and three draws.

Julián Álvarez has scored four of his five World Cup goals during knockout stages, equaling Diego Maradona as the second-highest Argentine scorer in these rounds, behind only Lionel Messi who has seven.

Swiss Players’ World Cup Records

Dan Ndoye became the fourth Swiss player to score two or more goals in the current World Cup, joining Johan Manzambi, Breel Embolo, and Ruben Vargas. Before 2026, the only other World Cup edition with multiple Swiss players scoring two or more goals was 1954 (Joseph Hügi and Robert Ballaman).

Breel Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation, becoming the fourth player to do so in World Cup history and the first since Asamoah Gyan of Ghana in 2006.