​Argentina did what it had to do—and, truthfully, so did Switzerland. Lionel Messi and his teammates handled their business in a 3-1 extra-time victory. Switzerland fought hard, but in the end it wasn’t enough. You could argue that the Swiss were the better side for long stretches, yet Argentina always carried the sense that it was biding its time, waiting to unleash.
Murat Yakin, who resembles a more stately version of Niko Kovač, had Switzerland well prepared. The Swiss fought with heart, but their level did not rise to what was required to upset Argentina.
While England faces its own issues, the Three Lions are possibly deeper and stronger overall than Argentina at the moment. What they lack, though, is Messi-level magic, and no matter how much Harry Kane or Jude Bellingham contribute, Messi can still flip a game on a moment’s notice. Somehow, some way, Messi has defied both age and the odds. This wasn’t a vintage performance against Switzerland, but there was a sense that he was saving something for what lay ahead. At his age, it’s never harmful to be a touch calculating and to conserve energy for a stronger foe later on.
Time to break down the match awards from this quarterfinal. The former Bayer Leverkusen standout was game, resilient, and efficient, yet not enough to carry his team. There simply weren’t enough Granit Xhaka-type players on the field for Switzerland. If more players like him were there, perhaps the result would have been different.
For his part, Xhaka completed 93 percent of his passes (67 of 72) while recording four blocked shots and seven ball recoveries, and he only lost possession 14 times on 96 touches. Overall, he was steady and anchored the Swiss defense when it could have fallen apart after Breel Embolo’s red card. Credit to Xhaka: it feels like we were told three years ago that his best days were behind him, yet he keeps plugging away with professional performances.
The Argentina defense did not have a banner night during regulation, but Emiliano Martínez stepped up when needed to compensate for his teammates at the back. The goalkeeper made four saves in the match. Martínez faced a few nervy moments in the second half, but he stood tall and showed the poise of someone who has done this before, especially after Dan Ndoye’s goal. Fortunately for him, the backline stabilized and played better just in time for Argentina to tighten the screws on Switzerland.
Let’s be honest: Mac Allister’s headed opener in the first half felt like a stroke of luck turned into a hallmark moment. Yet champions often feature players who elevate their games in crucial moments, and Mac Allister is one of those players. He was involved across the pitch in this match, contributing as a ball distributor when required (92–94 percent passing accuracy), engaging in duels (6 of 10), and showing the kind of impact that elevates a team when it matters most.
In the end, Argentina found a way to advance, and Messi, as he so often does, provided the late spark that shifted momentum in their favor. Switzerland’s resilience and tactical discipline kept them in the fight for a long stretch, but the deadliness of Argentina’s attack, coupled with timely defending and a calmer, more composed finish in extra time, proved decisive. The result sets up a narrative that Messi’s longevity and late-game brilliance continue to tilt what has already been a closely watched and unpredictable competition toward Argentina’s direction.