Kansas City: Argentina leads Switzerland in World Cup quarter-final

By Arjun Nair / 12.07.2026

By Arjun Nair — 12 July 2026 — 3 min read

Argentina holds a 1-0 lead over Switzerland at half-time in their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final match in Kansas City. The decisive goal came from Alexis Mac Allister in the 10th minute, a header assisted by Lionel Messi from a corner kick. This marks Mac Allister’s first goal of the tournament.

The match, played under clear skies and warm conditions, saw Switzerland start with early intent, maintaining possession and looking to challenge the reigning world champions. However, Argentina gradually found their rhythm, with Messi’s involvement drawing cheers from the crowd.

First Half Action

The opening goal for Argentina was a result of sustained pressure from back-to-back corners. Lionel Messi delivered a precise corner from the left, which Alexis Mac Allister met with a powerful header into the bottom-right corner, leaving Gregor Kobel with no chance. This goal gave Argentina an early advantage.

Following the goal, Switzerland attempted to respond, creating some promising moments. Djibril Sow had a notable effort from outside the penalty area, but his powerful strike was directly at Emiliano Martínez, who gathered it comfortably. Despite having an edge in possession and touches in the opposition box, Switzerland‘s only shot on target in the first half was Sow’s attempt.

Argentina, after taking the lead, seemed content to control the tempo and protect their one-goal advantage. They looked for opportunities on the counter-attack, though their shots on goal were limited after Mac Allister’s opener. The team went without an attempt for 35 minutes before half-time but maintained control of the game.

A moment of tension arose when Breel Embolo received a yellow card after a late challenge on Leandro Paredes in midfield. Several Argentina players surrounded the official, leading to the quick booking of the Swiss striker. Four minutes of added time were played at the end of the first half.

Tactical Approaches and Player Performances

Switzerland manager Murat Yakin opted for a disciplined 4-2-3-1 formation, making one change from their previous match against Colombia. Djibril Sow replaced Ardon Jashari, aiming to add physicality and defensive intensity behind forward Breel Embolo. Granit Xhaka captained the Swiss side, anchoring the midfield alongside Remo Freuler.

Lionel Scaloni, the manager for Argentina, maintained an unchanged starting XI from the team that defeated Egypt in the Round of 16. His side lined up in an attacking 4-1-3-2 formation, with Julián Álvarez partnering Lionel Messi up front. Emiliano Martínez, the Argentine goalkeeper, was called into action on several occasions and stood firm, notably making a crucial slide tackle to deny Breel Embolo a clear chance.

The Swiss team faced a challenge without Johan Manzambi, who missed the match due to a knee injury sustained before the Algeria game. Manzambi had been a primary goal threat for Switzerland in the tournament. Despite his absence, Switzerland continued to press, winning an early free kick in the second half, which Fabian Rieder curled into the penalty area, but Emiliano Martínez confidently claimed the cross.

Second Half Begins

Both teams returned to the pitch for the second half without any changes to their lineups. Argentina now has 45 minutes to defend their narrow 1-0 lead, while Switzerland needs to find a way to score to keep their FIFA World Cup 2026 hopes alive. The match resumed in Kansas City, with Argentina looking to build on their early advantage.

The atmosphere at Kansas City Stadium was vibrant, with the players emerging from the tunnel to line up for the national anthems. Lionel Messi led out the reigning world champions, while Granit Xhaka captained the Swiss side, setting the stage for a compelling knockout clash.

Argentina will have fond memories of Kansas City Stadium, where Lionel Messi scored a hat-trick against Algeria during the group stage of the tournament.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com