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Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates scoring their second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/undefined)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In this World Cup of stars, Lionel Messi looks to continue shining brightly as Argentina pursues a second consecutive title - a feat achieved only by Italy and Brazil in World Cup history.
Led by Diego Maradona, Argentina once came very close to matching that achievement. The team that won the 1986 World Cup in Mexico fell to Germany in the final at Italia '90, undone by a late penalty kick at the Olympic Stadium in Rome.
Now, with a 39-year-old Messi who remains at the peak of his powers, La Albiceleste is just two matches away from finding itself in the same position as the 1990 squad. The first of those matches comes Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium, where Argentina faces Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
The captain's level of play has been so remarkable that recounting the records he breaks match after match has almost become routine. Yet they remain impossible to ignore. Messi is tied atop the tournament scoring chart with France's Kylian Mbappé, each with eight goals, and he has extended his all-time World Cup record to 21 goals in 30 matches across six tournaments. He has also scored in nine consecutive World Cup matches, a streak dating to Argentina's Round of 16 victory over Australia during its run to the title at Qatar 2022 - its third World Cup championship, following triumphs on home soil in 1978 and in Mexico in 1986.
With Messi once again leading the attack, the biggest question facing head coach Lionel Scaloni is who will partner the captain up front. The competition remains open between Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez.
Álvarez had been battling to recover from a right ankle injury suffered shortly before the tournament began, and his performances have fallen short of the form he displayed at Atlético Madrid last season. He started the challenging Round of 16 match against Egypt in Atlanta - which ended in an epic 3-2 victory - but delivered an inconsistent performance.
Martínez, who began the tournament as a starter because of Álvarez's injury but was relegated to the bench against Egypt, played a key role after coming on against the African side, helping spark Argentina's dramatic comeback in the closing minutes.
Another question mark concerns the right-back position. Nahuel Molina started against Egypt, while Gonzalo Montiel finished the match after coming off the bench during the comeback. Molina offers more in building play from the back and joining the attack, while Montiel arguably provides greater defensive solidity.
The rest of the lineup is expected to remain the same: Emiliano Martínez in goal; Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez in central defense; and Nicolás Tagliafico at left back. The midfield remains anchored by Leandro Paredes, flanked by Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández and Alexis Mac Allister.
The last time Argentina faced Switzerland, it earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory thanks to an Ángel Di María goal set up by Messi en route to the 2014 World Cup final in Brazil. Consequently, the Argentine coaching staff is taking nothing for granted and has prepared thoroughly for a Swiss side that eliminated Colombia in a penalty shootout after a scoreless draw through 120 minutes in Vancouver.
"They are a tough, physical team. But they also possess a lot of quality, with players like Xhaka and Akanji," former defender Walter Samuel, one of Scaloni's assistants, told the Argentine media at the team's base camp in Kansas City. "They have players who can play well out of the back. They are very composed on the ball and well organized."
Beyond the precautions taken against Switzerland, Samuel, the rest of the coaching staff and the Argentine squad know they must raise their level of play. Argentina has looked inconsistent in the knockout stage after cruising through the group phase, needing extra time to defeat Cape Verde 3-2 in Miami before staging a dramatic comeback against Egypt after trailing by two goals with less than 10 minutes remaining.
"We look at the opponent, but we also focus on our own game," added Samuel, nicknamed Il Muro ("The Wall") for his impenetrable defending during his career in Italian football. "We are excited about the possibility of reaching the final. We have to take it one step at a time. Right now, we face a very tough opponent in Switzerland, and we have to deal with that. But we are hopeful we can get the job done and reach the final. That would be incredible."
Argentina scheduled its final training session for late Friday to avoid the high summer temperatures, and Scaloni was set to hold a pre-match news conference.
Earlier Saturday, England and Norway will meet at 4 p.m. Central in Miami. The winner will face the winner of Argentina-Switzerland on Wednesday in Atlanta.
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There’s more to Houston with the Chronicle. Subscribe today for just 25¢.This article originally published at Argentina seeks consistency against Switzerland and a spot in the World Cup semifinals.
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