Argentina v Switzerland · OurXI

★ The storyline

Argentina march on

Argentina are through. They saw off Switzerland 3–1 in the quarter-finals, and a family that's followed them all summer dares to look a little further up the bracket. On to the semi-finals.

ComebackDeveloping

Argentina march on through the quarter-finals

The run is real. Argentina are through the quarter-finals, and a family that has followed them all summer is starting to believe. One more, and then we talk seriously.

Golden BootDeveloping

Messi's Quest: Argentina Eyes Historic Breakthrough

Argentina roll into the quarter-finals riding their longest unbeaten run in World Cup history, a streak born from the ashes of their 2022 Saudi Arabia shock. They face Switzerland, a side they've beaten twice before, but in a knockout battle nothing is guaranteed. Messi's tournament has been electric — eight goals and counting — and he'll need every ounce of that form to keep Argentina's campaign burning bright under Miami lights.

Lionel Messi

Source: Opta Analyst

Why it matters

Ours are out — Argentina in a quarter-final. Win or go home.

Who to watch

★ Ours · Talisman

Lionel Messi

Argentina

Still the gravitational centre of this side, the man around whom every Argentine hope orbits.

Talisman

Granit Xhaka

Switzerland

The midfield metronome who knits the whole side together and carries the weight of expectation.

Developing

Switzerland are through to the last 32

Switzerland are into the last 32. Job done in the group, and now the tournament really begins — one-and-done from here, every match a final.

Developing

Argentina are through to the last 32

Argentina are into the last 32. Job done in the group, and now the tournament really begins — one-and-done from here, every match a final.

Developing

Argentina bow out

And there it ends. Argentina fall to Spain 1–0 in the final, and a summer of following them is over. It stings now — but what a ride it was, and there's no shame in going out swinging.

Developing

Argentina bow out

And there it ends. Argentina fall to Spain, and a summer of following them is over. It stings now — but what a ride it was, and there's no shame in going out swinging.