Messi and Argentina survive another close call to reach the World Cup semifinals

Messi and Argentina survived another anxious World Cup quarterfinal to reach the semifinals, defeating Switzerland 3-1 after 30 minutes of extra time in Kansas City on Saturday. The Albiceleste repeatedly faced trouble, having needed extra time and comebacks earlier in the tournament before finding a path past a resilient Swiss side. Lionel Messi, 39, delivered an early-game assist for Alexis Mac Allister’s 10th-minute header, but the scoring streak he had in nine straight World Cup matches ended without a goal. Switzerland leveled 1-1 in the 67th minute through Dan Ndoye, and the decisive swing came when Breel Embolo was sent off after video review showed a faked fall. Julián Alvarez scored the winner with a far-upper-corner shot in the 112th minute, and Lautaro Martínez added a goal in the 121st minute. Argentina will play England in Atlanta on Wednesday, after England also advanced via extra time against Norway 2-1.