Barcelona target Julian Alvarez had been having an underwhelming World Cup 2026 until he lit up the tournament with a [brilliant strike against Switzerland in the quarter-finals.](/world-cup-2026/126348/argentina-switzerland-world-cup-2026-final-score-recap-reaction-lionel-messi-julian-alvarez)
The Atletico star put Argentina 2-1 up in extra-time with a worldie to offer the world a reminder of his talents amid continued speculation about his future.
> “I struck it beautifully,” he told reporters. “I had taken one earlier. This time I had space, nobody came out to challenge me, and I struck it beautifully. A fantastic goal.”
Argentina made hard work of 10-man Switzerland and Alvarez admitted it had been a slog.
> “Things got difficult even though we had an extra man. We knew that if we kept pushing forward together, the goal would come,” he added.
>
> “Obviously, we would have preferred to win it earlier, but we know it’s not easy; all the World Cup matches are like this. There are two more to go.”
Argentina now go on to face England in the semi-finals, while Spain will take on France.
Alvarez’s future is then likely to be resolved after the tournament ends, with [Barcelona expected to make another bid](/fc-barcelona-transfer-rumors-news/125179/barcelona-expected-to-make-e130m-offer-for-julian-alvarez-after-world-cup-2026).