Argentina fans are no strangers to the emotional rollercoaster that comes with their national team’s matches. During their victorious run in the 2022 World Cup, they surrendered leads on four occasions, including twice in the final against France. While this makes for compelling narratives, it certainly adds a layer of anxiety for supporters.
Switzerland’s offensive capabilities have diminished without Johan Manzambi, who has been sidelined due to injury. However, should they manage to breach Argentina’s defense, the South Americans could find themselves in a tough situation trying to recover.
Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel may not have garnered the attention of some of his counterparts at the tournament, yet he has been a standout performer. With two consecutive clean sheets in the knockout stage and a total of 16 saves, he is quietly establishing himself as a key player for the Swiss. Having taken over from Yann Sommer after the 2024 Euros, this marks his first significant tournament with the national team, although he has experience guiding Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2024.
The victor of this encounter between Argentina and Switzerland will advance to face England in the semi-finals.
Argentina’s head coach, Lionel Scaloni, has opted for the same lineup that mounted a remarkable comeback against Egypt in the last 16. Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi is set to start, marking his 205th appearance for the national team.
Meanwhile, Switzerland’s coach Murat Yakin has made one alteration to the starting XI that faced Colombia, with Djibril Sow taking the place of midfielder Ardon Jashari.
Argentina (formation 4-1-3-2): E Martinez; Tagliafico, L Martinez, Romero, Molina; Paredes; Fernandez, Mac Allister, De Paul; Alvarez, Messi.
Switzerland (formation 4-2-3-1): Kobel; Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez; Freuler, Xhaka; Ndoye, Sow, Rieder; Embolo.
The match will be officiated by referee João Pinheiro from Portugal.
Earlier in the tournament, Jonathan Wilson penned an intriguing piece featuring an interview with Luciana Alvarengue, the former mathematics teacher of Enzo Fernández and Julián Alvarez in Buenos Aires.
Lionel Messi’s World Cup performance has been nothing short of spectacular. He has become the all-time leading scorer in the men’s tournament, celebrated his 200th cap for Argentina, turned 39 years old, and boasts a goal streak that extends across six knockout matches dating back to the 2022 final.
For those looking to impress at their watch parties, here’s a piece of trivia: only two players in World Cup history have scored in every match of a tournament-winning campaign—Alcide Ghigga of Uruguay in 1950 and Jairzinho of Brazil in 1970. It’s worth noting that they played fewer games, with Ghigga appearing in four and Jairzinho in six.
Historically, Argentina and Switzerland have clashed seven times, with Switzerland yet to secure a victory.
A memorable encounter occurred during the 2014 World Cup’s Round of 16, where Argentina triumphed in extra time, paving their way to the final. Notable players from that match, including Lionel Messi, Granit Xhaka, and Ricardo Rodriguez, will once again be on the pitch today.
When asked about the challenge of containing Messi, Xhaka stated,
“Football is this, not just tactics and strategies,”
Argentina will need Lionel Messi’s brilliance, along with a collective team effort, to overcome Switzerland. They must maintain their momentum for extended periods, as relying solely on energy and passion has proven insufficient at times during this tournament. Many fans, however, embrace the chaotic spirit of this Argentine squad, which may be part of its charm. Coach Lionel Scaloni shares this sentiment, remarking,
“Those things are important, no doubt, but if we hadn’t had the heart we had, we would’ve been out.”
In another quarter-final, Jude Bellingham has put England ahead.
Team news for the Argentina vs. Switzerland match is expected soon, with just over 90 minutes remaining until kickoff in Kansas City.
In Miami, where the atmosphere is intense, Norway and England are heading into extra time in their quarter-final clash. Scott Murray will keep you updated.
Welcome to the fourth and final quarter-final of this World Cup!
This match features Argentina, the defending champions, against Switzerland, the underdogs. Argentina, a three-time World Cup winner, faces a Swiss team that has yet to reach the semi-finals. It’s a clash of contrasting styles: disciplined process versus emotional unpredictability. A place in Wednesday’s semi-final against either Norway or England awaits the winner. Should Argentina prevail, they will chase history as the first team to win consecutive World Cups. Conversely, if Switzerland emerges victorious, they will continue their best performance in a major tournament and ensure an all-European final four.
Reflecting on the journey to this point, Argentina navigated the group stage with relative ease but faced serious challenges in the knockout rounds. They survived a tense encounter against Cape Verde in extra time during the last 32 and needed a dramatic comeback against Egypt in the last 16, trailing 2-0 until the 79th minute, when Messi led a remarkable turnaround.
Switzerland has reached the final eight of the World Cup for the first time since 1954. They topped Group B, defeating Algeria in the last 32, then endured a tense match against Colombia in the last 16, which they won on penalties. Their seasoned players have excelled in knockout football recently, but their chances have been dealt a blow with the absence of Johan Manzambi, who has three goals and two assists in two appearances, due to a knee injury.
As the match approaches, questions linger: Can Switzerland pull off an upset? Will Messi’s magic shine once more? I’ll return shortly with team updates. In the meantime, feel free to share your thoughts at ella.brockway@, and stay tuned for the conclusion of the Norway vs. England match, which appears to be heading for extra time.
