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Switzerland have acknowledged the challenge of facing Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals but believe they have identified weaknesses that could help them spring an upset when the two sides meet on Saturday (local time), reported Reuters.
Argentina head into the last-eight clash after a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the Round of 16, while Switzerland reached the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time since 1954 after defeating Colombia in a penalty shootout. Swiss midfielder Denis Zakaria described Argentina as the best team in the world but expressed confidence in Switzerland's ability to compete with Lionel Scaloni's side. "It will be up to us to produce a very big performance if we want to beat them," Zakaria told reporters, as per Reuters. "Obviously, it's always difficult to stop a player like that, but I think we have the quality and we have the players to do it," he said. Messi heads into the quarter-final in sensational form, having scored eight goals in the tournament to sit level with France captain Kylian Mbappe at the top of the Golden Boot standings. The Argentine captain also inspired his side's remarkable fightback against Egypt, scoring after missing an earlier penalty before Enzo Fernandez netted the winner. Despite Messi's brilliance, Zakaria insisted Switzerland would not be fixated solely on the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner. "We know that Messi is the best or one of the best players in the world, but in the end, Argentina are not only Messi. Other players are good, and we know that we don't have to be only focused on Messi," he said. Forward Zeki Amdouni echoed that belief, revealing Switzerland had identified areas they could exploit against the reigning world champions. "We've studied them, and we'll continue to do so today. I think there is space, and if we're here today, it's because we can hurt them too," Amdouni said. The Swiss forward also dismissed suggestions that his teammates were overawed by Messi after former Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann claimed Swiss players seemed more interested in obtaining the Argentine's shirt than defeating him. "Messi is a great player -- the greatest. When you're a child, everyone has idols. But playing against them is different," Amdouni said. "We'll give everything on the field and do our best to beat Argentina," he added. Argentina, unbeaten in 11 consecutive World Cup matches since their opening defeat to Saudi Arabia in 2022, are bidding to keep alive their hopes of retaining the title. Lionel Scaloni's side has won 12 straight matches in all competitions and are aiming to reach a second successive World Cup semi-final. Switzerland, meanwhile, have enjoyed a disciplined campaign under Murat Yakin. After topping Group B, they knocked out Algeria before defeating Colombia on penalties, with goalkeeper Gregor Kobel emerging as the hero in the shootout. History, however, favours the South Americans. Argentina have won all seven previous meetings with Switzerland, including victories at the 1966 and 2014 FIFA World Cups. The winners of Saturday's contest in Kansas City will advance to the semi-finals, where they will face either England or Norway in the semi-finals. (ANI)
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