Argentina's World Cup journey has become a masterclass in resilience, with the reigning champions needing extra time once more to overcome a tenacious 10-man Switzerland 3-1 in the quarter-finals. Julian Alvarez, who broke the deadlock in the 112th minute, summed up the team's mindset: “You have to know how to suffer.” The victory in Kansas City sets up a semi-final berth, but the path was anything but straightforward. Main Developments Argentina seized an early lead when Alexis Mac Allister flicked a header from Lionel Messi's corner past Swiss goalkeeper Kobel in the 10th minute, marking the first time Switzerland had trailed in the tournament. The Swiss, missing injured leading scorer Johan Manzambi, responded with a spirited second-half surge, repeatedly testing goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and leveling the score in the 67th minute through Dan Ndoye. Switzerland's momentum was halted when Breel Embolo received a second yellow card for simulation after a lengthy VAR review. The referee initially booked Argentina's Leandro Paredes but overturned the decision upon video review, leading to Embolo's dismissal and leaving Swiss coach Murat Yakin fuming. “This rule destroyed our game today,” Yakin said, calling the rule “completely unacceptable.” Read also: Why France's Respect for Spain's Defense Defines Their World Cup Clash With a man advantage, Argentina dominated possession and pressed forward, with Messi nearly scoring in stoppage time with a fierce strike that flashed wide. The breakthrough finally came in the 112th minute when Alvarez curled a stunning effort into the top corner, and Lautaro Martinez added a third in the dying moments. Background This quarter-final victory follows a pattern of grueling matches for Argentina. They needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the last 32 and mounted an astonishing late comeback to defeat Egypt by the same scoreline. The team's ability to endure high-pressure situations has become a defining trait of their campaign, with Alvarez noting that opponents are “playing very well” and that the team has areas to improve. Switzerland arrived in Kansas City without Manzambi, who had contributed three goals and two assists before being sidelined by injury. Despite the setback, the Swiss defense held firm for long stretches, forcing Argentina to dig deep. Coach Yakin expressed pride in his team's effort despite the controversial red card: “This team has so much passion. Despite the fact we were one man down, we gave it all.” Why It Matters Argentina's repeated reliance on extra-time heroics raises questions about their consistency as they advance deeper into the tournament. While their star-studded squad—led by 39-year-old Messi in his sixth World Cup—has the experience to manage tight matches, the physical toll of consecutive extended games could become a liability. For Switzerland, the controversial VAR decision highlights ongoing debates about simulation rules and their impact on high-stakes matches, with Yakin calling the rule “very painful.” What's Next Argentina will prepare for the semi-finals, where they will face a yet-to-be-determined opponent. Coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the team benefited from fortune with the red card but emphasized the achievement of reaching the last four. Switzerland, meanwhile, exits the tournament with a mix of pride and frustration, left to reflect on what might have been if they had kept 11 men on the field.