​Inter captain Lautaro Martinez struck in the 121st minute of Argentina’s World Cup quarter-final against Switzerland in the early hours of Sunday morning, sealing his nation’s place in the semi-finals where they will meet archrivals England. Argentina required extra time to edge past Switzerland in a pulsating 2026 World Cup quarter-final, with Martinez’s last-gasp strike smoothing the path to a 3-1 victory. Lionel Scaloni’s squad have now played 120 minutes in each of their three knockout matches so far in this tournament.
Alexis Mac Allister had given the reigning champions a 10th-minute lead, only for former Bologna winger Dan Ndoye to restore parity for Switzerland in the 67th minute. The drama did not stop there, as Julian Alvarez nudged Argentina back in front in the second half of extra time, before Martinez capped the night with a dagger into the Swiss hearts in stoppage time.
In Kansas City, Missouri, Martinez celebrated his clinical finish as part of a memorable World Cup campaign for his country. The moment arrived after Thiago Almada carried the ball into the box and unleashed a low shot on target that Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel saved and parried straight to Martinez, who planted the rebound past the stranded keeper with his first-time finish.
This goal marked Martinez’s second World Cup strike of the 2026 tournament, following his earlier penalty in Argentina’s 3-1 group-stage win over Jordan. The Inter Milan captain’s timely hit sealed a result that had already seen Argentina overcome Swiss resistance in extra time, with the opener from Mac Allister and the late clincher from Alvarez setting the tone for a dramatic finale.
The semi-final draw pits Argentina against their traditional rivals, England, in what promises to be a high-stakes clash of two footballing heavyweights. Scaloni’s side have demonstrated resilience and depth across the knockout rounds, repeatedly needing extra time to book their place in the last four. The tactical battle ahead with England will undoubtedly be intense, featuring Argentina’s dynamic forward line and a midfield that has shown both creativity and tenacity in this World Cup campaign.
Martinez’s winner in stoppage time stands as a defining moment in the tournament for Argentina, underscoring his influence as a scorer when it matters most. His ability to convert a rebound from a tightly contested attack demonstrates the instincts that have made him a central figure for both club and country. As Argentina advance to the semi-finals, the team’s supporters will be hopeful that this late-season form translates into a continued run toward the ultimate prize in football. Martinez’s icing-on-the-cake goal has already been etched into World Cup memories, celebrated by fans across the nation and fans of the sport worldwide.