Kansas City: Argentina take 1-0 lead against Switzerland in World Cup quarter-final

By Sanjay Menon — 12 July 2026 — 4 min read

Argentina currently hold a 1-0 lead over Switzerland at half-time in their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final match at Kansas City Stadium. The decisive goal came in the 10th minute from Alexis Mac Allister, who scored his first goal of the tournament with a header.

The goal originated from a corner kick delivered by Lionel Messi. This assist marks another significant contribution from Messi in the tournament. Following the goal, Argentina maintained possession and controlled the tempo of the game.

Switzerland, captained by Granit Xhaka, made an early attempt to pressure Argentina after the restart, with Fabian Rieder curling a free kick into the penalty area. However, Emiliano Martínez, Argentina’s goalkeeper, confidently claimed the cross, keeping his side’s lead intact.

The first half saw a moment of tension when Breel Embolo received a yellow card after a challenge on Leandro Paredes in midfield. Despite Switzerland having more possession at times, their efforts on goal were limited, with Djibril Sow‘s powerful strike being comfortably saved by Martínez.

Argentina’s coach, Lionel Scaloni, named an unchanged starting XI for this crucial match. Switzerland’s coach, Murat Yakin, made one change to his side, bringing in Djibril Sow for Ardon Jashari, maintaining a disciplined 4-2-3-1 formation.

The Swiss starting lineup included Gregor Kobel in goal, with defenders Denis Zakaria, Manuel Akanji, Nico Elvedi, and Ricardo Rodríguez. The midfield featured Remo Freuler and captain Granit Xhaka as defensive midfielders, alongside attacking midfielders Dan Ndoye, Fabian Rieder, and Djibril Sow. Breel Embolo led the attack.

Johan Manzambi was not part of the matchday squad as he continues to recover from a knee injury. Switzerland will need to find a way to respond in the second half to keep their World Cup hopes alive, while Argentina aims to protect their lead and secure a spot in the semi-finals.

The atmosphere at Kansas City Stadium was vibrant, with clear blue skies providing a suitable backdrop for the quarter-final. Argentina has positive memories of this stadium, where Lionel Messi previously scored a hat-trick during the group stage.

First Half Dynamics

In the initial minutes, Switzerland showed early intent, enjoying possession and attempting to unsettle the reigning world champions. However, Argentina soon settled into the contest, with Messi and Julián Álvarez leading their attack.

After Mac Allister’s goal, Argentina appeared content to allow Switzerland to hold possession, seeking opportunities on the counter. This approach, while maintaining control, also carried the risk of Switzerland finding an equalizer.

One instance of defensive vulnerability for Argentina occurred when Embolo received a long ball and laid it off to Ndoye, who was met by a tackle from Lisandro Martinez before he could get a shot off. Earlier, Nahuel Molina had a shot from a tight angle that went wide, following a pass from Messi.

Switzerland’s only shot on target in the first half came from Djibril Sow, which was directly at Emiliano Martínez. Despite having an edge in possession and touches in the opposition box, Switzerland struggled to convert these into significant threats.

A hydration break was called during the first half, drawing some boos from the crowd eager for the action to continue. Argentina headed into this pause with their 1-0 advantage, allowing Switzerland a chance to regroup and plan their strategy for the remainder of the match.

Second Half Begins

Both teams returned for the second half without any changes to their lineups. Argentina has 45 minutes to defend their slender lead, while Switzerland needs a response to keep their tournament hopes alive.

Early in the second half, Switzerland won a free kick deep on the right, looking to apply pressure. Fabian Rieder’s delivery into the penalty area was again confidently claimed by Emiliano Martínez, who remained untroubled.

Messi continued to be a central figure, unlocking the Swiss defense with a pass for Nahuel Molina, whose shot from a tight angle went wide. Argentina continued to look for opportunities, with Messi’s corner being flicked on by Enzo Fernandez to the near post, though it went a bit too far.

The match continues at Kansas City Stadium, with Argentina aiming to secure their place in the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com