Will age finally catch up with 39-year-old Lionel Messi in the quarterfinal encounter against Switzerland after two exhausting knockout matches? Messi has scored in every World Cup match so far.
Although Lionel Scaloni’s team easily advanced through the group stage, Egypt and Cape Verde have tested them. They came back from the dead against Mohamed Salah’s team after needing extra time to defeat the World Cup newbies in the round of 32 before prevailing 3-2.
Messi’s skill and his unwavering team spirit have been crucial to the defending champions’ success as they have won all five of their games. Argentina overcame a two-goal deficit in the last minutes thanks to a masterfully constructed finish from Messi, who made up for a missed penalty against Egypt.
At the conclusion of the thrilling 3-2 victory in Atlanta, he broke down in a rare display of emotion, expressing his desperation for his World Cup adventure to continue.
After playing 120 minutes against Cape Verde, Messi acknowledged that he was exhausted, but he played the entire game against Egypt and is still invaluable. He will return to the venue of his hat-trick in Argentina’s opening game of the 2026 tournament for the quarterfinal at Arrowhead Stadium.
He has maintained his scoring streak, bringing his total to eight, tied with Kylian Mbappe, a competitor for the Golden Boot. With 21 goals during his career, he has also emerged as the top scorer in World Cup history.
Argentina’s greatest asset, aside from their small brilliance, is their extraordinary unity. As they aim to become the first nation to win back-to-back World Cups since Brazil in 1962, the South Americans are currently undefeated in 11 World Cup matches.
There have even been ominous rumors that Argentina, who are being followed everywhere by hordes of supporters dressed in blue and white, have received favorable treatment throughout the World Cup.
FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina rejected Egypt coach Hossam Hassan’s theory that the last-16 officiating panel might have been under “external pressure” to favor Argentina.
In Kansas City, a diligent and well-trained Switzerland team will put the South Americans to the test. The Swiss, under the leadership of their powerful captain Granit Xhaka, are just one victory away from making it to their first-ever World Cup semifinal.
In the round of 32, Murat Yakin’s team easily defeated Algeria 2-0 before maintaining composure to defeat a formidable Colombia squad on penalties. Johan Manzambi, an attacking midfielder, was brilliant in the group stage, scoring three goals and giving a side of seasoned campaigners momentum.
However, Manzambi is doubtful for the Argentina match after missing the Colombia game due to an injury. Switzerland has been waiting a long time to discover such a powerful combination of youth and experience, according to 33-year-old Xhaka.
The victors of the Kansas City game will play either Norway or England, who play each other on Saturday in Miami.
