Argentina, again pushed to the brink, survived a quarterfinal test against Switzerland on Saturday to advance to the World Cup semifinals, where they will face England.
Key facts
- Argentina defeated Switzerland in the World Cup quarterfinal on Saturday.
- The Albiceleste will face England in the semifinals.
- Argentina had been taken to the brink in its first two knockout games.
- The match was played at the 2026 World Cup.
Argentina advanced to the semifinals of the 2026 World Cup after surviving another close encounter, this time against Switzerland in Saturday’s quarterfinal, according to NPR.
The Albiceleste, led by Lionel Messi, had already been pushed to the brink in each of its first two knockout-round games, according to NPR. The quarterfinal followed a similar pattern, with Argentina again needing to withstand a serious test before securing the result.
With the victory, Argentina booked a place in the semifinals, where the team will face England, according to NPR.
The run underscores the fine margins facing Argentina at this stage of the tournament, having repeatedly relied on resilience to keep its campaign alive through the knockout rounds.
Why it matters
Argentina remains one of the tournament's marquee teams, and Messi's continued run keeps global attention on the World Cup's later stages. A semifinal against England sets up a high-profile clash between two of international soccer's biggest names.
Frequently asked questions
Who did Argentina beat to reach the semifinals?
Argentina defeated Switzerland in Saturday's quarterfinal, according to NPR.
Who will Argentina play in the semifinals?
Argentina will face England in the World Cup semifinals, according to NPR.
How close were Argentina's earlier knockout games?
NPR reported that Argentina was taken to the brink in its first two knockout games before again surviving in the quarterfinal.