Álvarez hits extra-time stunner to sink Switerland as Argentina progress

Julián Álvarez sent defending champion Argentina back to the World Cup semi-finals with a long-range strike in the 112th minute against Switzerland, while another goal by Lautaro Martínez with seconds left in extra time only served to make the 3-1 victory look a whole lot easier than it was Saturday night. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring from a corner helping La Albiceleste gut out another down-to-the-wire thriller and advance to play England on Wednesday in Atlanta.

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Arias sends Colombia past Ghana into last 16

Colombia booked the last place in the World Cup’s last 16 as they beat Ghana 1-0 in Kansas City. Jhon Arias grabbed the only goal after 14 minutes as they earned a meeting with Switzerland in Vancouver. Both sides were forced into early changes by injury, Luis Suarez coming on for Jhon Cordoba and making an instant impact – his cross being swept in by the unmarked Arias at the far post.

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Dramatic draw sees both Algeria and Austria progress to round of 32

Austria and Algeria played out an incredible 3-3 draw in Kansas City, both sides progressing to the knockout phase thanks to a last-gasp score from Austrian substitute Sasa Kalajdzic. There was some concern ahead of kick-off that there would be little competitive action on the pitch, with a draw guaranteeing both sides a spot in the last 32. Those fears were extinguished in the early stages, which featured end-to-end action before Austria opened the scoring in the 27th minute through Marko Arnautovic.

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Netherlands breeze past Tunisia to book spot in last 32

The Netherlands finished the World Cup group stage on top of Group F as they chalked up a comfortable 3-1 victory over Tunisia in Kansas City. The Dutch started at a red-hot pace, taking just seven minutes to establish a 2-0 lead. Ronald Koeman’s side went ahead in the third minute courtesy of an Ellyes Skhiri own goal, after he lashed out at a cross and inadvertently tipped the ball into the back of his own net.

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Room heroics help Curacao shutout Ecuador for historic point

A heroic performance from goalkeeper Eloy Room created history for Curacao as they earned a first World Cup point by holding Ecuador to a 0-0 draw in Kansas City. Room made 15 saves – the most by any goalkeeper in 90 minutes of a World Cup match since records began in 1966 – as he acted as a one-man barrier, with Dick Advocaat’s brave side bouncing back from their 7-1 thrashing by Germany in their opening game.

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