Lionel Messi’s post-match message summed up Argentina’s night as well as the scoreline did. After Argentina beat Switzerland 3-1 in extra-time at Argentina vs Switzerland, Messi wrote: “Again it suffered but this team never stops believing.” It was blunt, emotional and backed up by a game that did not settle until late.
Messi's message after a messy win
Alexis Mac Allister headed home a corner after 10 minutes to give Argentina the lead, but the match stayed awkward for long stretches. Breel Embolo was initially booked for a challenge on Leandro Paredes, then VAR overturned that and booked him for a dive, before his second yellow brought a dismissal in the 72nd minute.
That was the moment Lionel Scaloni pointed to when he said, “The truth is that luck was on our side today, because they had a player sent off and, from there, the team went on the attack.” He also added that Argentina still had things to improve on, even if reaching another semi-final was “historic”.
Messi, though, was the standout creator. He finished with an 8.9 rating, 1 assist and 6 key passes in 124 minutes, a useful reminder that the performance was not only about surviving pressure. Argentina did suffer, but they also had the player who kept the ball moving when the match opened up.
England are next
The final score came when Julián Alvarez and Lautaro Martínez struck in extra-time to seal the 3-1 win. England now wait in the semi-final, which turns this into a very different kind of test.
Thomas Tuchel praised England’s effort and belief after their own route to the last four, but also said they “can and have to play better football.” Lionel Messi’s line and Scaloni’s honesty leave Argentina with a straightforward read on where they are, and a harder one on what comes next against England.
Written by Jack Mercer with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 4 outlets. How we work →
