KANSAS CITY — Inter Miami CF captain Leo Messi became the first player in FIFA World Cup history to record 10 career assists as Argentina defeated Switzerland 3-1 after extra time at Kansas City Stadium to advance to the World Cup 2026 semifinals.
Messi’s milestone assist came in the 10th minute, when his pinpoint outswinging corner kick found Alexis Mac Allister, who powered a header past the Swiss goalkeeper to open the scoring. The appearance was Messi’s record-extending 32nd in World Cup play, another mark no other player has reached.
Inter Miami midfielder Rodrigo De Paul started in midfield alongside Mac Allister and Leandro Paredes for the defending champions, who controlled 59% of possession and generated 22 shots to Switzerland’s 11. Argentina carried its 1-0 lead into halftime before Switzerland’s Dan Ndoye equalized in the 67th minute with a low strike off a swift move down the left flank.
The match turned five minutes later when Swiss forward Breel Embolo received a second yellow card, reducing Switzerland to 10 men. Argentina pressed its numerical advantage — winning 8 corners to Switzerland’s 2 — but could not break through in regulation as the Swiss defense held firm to force extra time.
Julián Álvarez restored Argentina’s lead in the 112th minute, and substitute Lautaro Martínez added a third deep in second-half stoppage time of extra time to seal the 3-1 victory. Argentina’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez finished with 4 saves, matching his Swiss counterpart. Argentina committed 14 fouls to Switzerland’s 18.
The result sends Argentina to its second consecutive World Cup semifinal following its championship-winning run in 2022. The two Inter Miami players will next suit up for Argentina against England on Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET at Atlanta Stadium.