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Alvarez sinks the Swiss: Itten exits to Argentina
WORLD CUP QUARTER-FINAL HEARTBREAK FOR CEDRIC ITTEN AND SWITZERLAND
12/07/26 | 2 Min
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Werder new signing Cedric Itten and his Switzerland teammates held on for a lengthy period with 10 men against reigning champions Argentina, after having a player sent off in the second half, but ultimately fell to World Cup quarter-final defeat in Canada, Mexico and the USA. Although the Swiss managed to force extra time, they were eventually unable to withstand Argentina’s relentless pressure and exit the competition following a 3-1 loss.
An early goal allowed Argentina to sit back and put the onus on Switzerland. Djibril Sow failed to deal with Lionel Messi’s corner, allowing Alexis Mac Allister to rise highest inside the six-yard box and glance the ball into the far corner of the net (10’). Switzerland were not unsettled by the setback and continued to probe patiently. They eventually found a way through after the break, when Dan Ndoye exchanged passes with Ricardo Rodriguez before finishing from a tight angle to draw his side level (67’).
Murat Yakin’s side had barely finished celebrating when the game swung back in Argentina’s favour. Breel Embolo, who had already been booked, went to ground looking for a foul and was shown a second yellow card after VAR alerted Portuguese referee João Pinheiro to the incident (72’). The dismissal completely changed the complexion of the contest, with Argentina using their numerical advantage to lay siege to the Swiss penalty area. Messi began to see more of the ball and went close to settling the tie with two dangerous efforts (85’, 90’+2).
The red card also reduced Itten’s chances of being introduced, having replaced Embolo in each of his previous three appearances from the bench. Yakin instead turned to Zeki Amdouni, whose pace appeared better suited to playing on the counter, although he was rarely able to provide the respite Switzerland needed. Just as the Swiss looked to be dragging the game towards penalties, Julián Álvarez took matters into his own hands and curled a stunning strike into the far top corner from the edge of the box (112’).
Switzerland went all in by bringing on Ruben Vargas, but the change also used up their final substitution and confirmed that Itten would remain an unused substitute in Kansas City. Time was rapidly running out for Yakin’s side before Lautaro Martínez finished off a counter attack to seal Argentina’s 3-1 victory (120’+1). The holders will now face England in the semi-finals at 21:00 CEST on Wednesday, 15.07.2026. Itten, meanwhile, will return home and is expected to report for duty in Bremen in around three weeks’ time.
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