Alvarez stunner sets up tasty semi-final encounter between Argentina and England

It has taken more than two decades, but England finally have a date with Lionel Messi. The 206th international appearance of the 39-year-old’s career will be his first against England, after his Argentina team produced yet another dramatic victory at this World Cup. 

For once, it was not Messi who inspired this quarter-final win. The little No 10 remains the main focus but this was a reminder that Argentina’s team possesses another world-class attacking talent, in the shape of Julian Alvarez. The Atletico Madrid forward conjured the most extraordinary of winners against a stubborn and spirited Switzerland, scoring deep into extra time with an astonishing long-range strike. 

Did Switzerland deserve such a brutal outcome? Probably not. They had been the better team for most of the first hour, and had then defended brilliantly after Breel Embolo had been shown the World Cup’s first ever red card for “mistaken identity”. But the footballing gods (and, some would say, the officials) continue to smile upon Argentina, and it was undoubtedly a strike from the heavens that won this game. 

Goal of the tournament? Almost certainly. Goal of a lifetime? Surely. Alvarez could not have hit the ball sweeter, and he could hardly have timed this intervention better. It put Argentina back in front, with 112 minutes on the clock, and broke the Swiss spirit. Against the ten men, Lautaro Martinez then added a late third on the counter-attack. 

Argentina had struck early, through Alexis Mac Allister, but were far from impressive. Granit Xhaka controlled this match, until the red card at least, and Switzerland equalised through Dan Ndoye. The red card changed everything and ultimately led to Alvarez bending his shot through the Kansas air and into Gregor Kobel’s top corner. 

[Source: Daily Telegraph]