Alvarez’s special strike earns Messi’s praise as Argentina march to semifinals

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With Argentina’s World Cup hopes dangling by a thread in extra time, Julián Álvarez produced a moment of breathtaking brilliance that not only rescued his side but also drew effusive praise from the greatest player to ever grace the game.

The 26-year-old Atlético Madrid forward curled a sublime strike from outside the box in the 112th minute of Saturday’s quarterfinal clash against Switzerland at the Lusail Iconic Stadium, breaking a stubborn 1-1 deadlock and propelling the reigning champions into the final four. Lautaro Martínez added a stoppage-time insurance goal in the 121st minute to seal a 3-1 victory, but it was Álvarez’s solo masterpiece that sent the Argentine bench into delirium.

After the match, a smiling Lionel Messi was asked whether his young teammate had “put on Messi’s boots” for the night. The 39-year-old captain shook his head with a knowing grin.

“He scored a fantastic goal, but it’s not the first time—he’s scored several goals like that,” Messi told reporters in the mixed zone. “He has a special strike and has shown it for a long time with Atlético Madrid. This season, he’s scored many similar goals.”

The statistics bear out the captain’s observation. Álvarez concluded his debut campaign at Atlético as the club’s top scorer across all competitions, amassing 29 goals and six assists—many of them dispatched from the edge of the area with that same venomous, curling technique that left Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel clutching at air on Saturday night.

A Collective Triumph

Messi, whose own nine-game World Cup scoring streak came to an end in the quarterfinal, was adamant that Argentina’s success is not a one-man show. “I’m very happy with the result, with his goal, and with Lautaro’s as well,” he said. “We needed both of them to score, and that makes me very happy.”

The match had begun promisingly for Argentina, with Alexis Mac Allister heading home from a Messi corner in the 10th minute. But Switzerland fought back through Dan Ndoye’s 67th-minute equalizer, and the game appeared destined for penalties until a controversial red card reduced the Swiss to ten men. Even with the numerical advantage, Argentina labored to break down a resolute defense—until Álvarez conjured his moment of genius.

History in the Making

For Messi, reaching yet another World Cup semifinal—his third as an Argentine player—is a feat that still stirs emotion. “This team competes and never stops pushing, never stops wanting more,” he reflected. “To become world champions, win the Copa América, and then be back in a World Cup semifinal among the final four teams… that’s not normal.”

Argentina now face a historic clash against England in Wednesday’s semifinal in Atlanta—a matchup Messi has never experienced in his illustrious career. “It’s special because it’s my first time facing England,” he admitted. “I’ve played against everyone else, but not England.”

For Álvarez, who earlier in the tournament vowed that “we will do everything to make sure Messi wins the World Cup again,” Saturday’s goal was more than a personal triumph. It was a promise kept—and a reminder that Argentina’s quest for back-to-back titles rests on the shoulders of a new generation that is already writing its own legend.

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Argentina will face England on Wednesday at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Kickoff is set for 8:00 p.m. local time.