Argentina midfielder Rodridgo De Paul knows the days are dwindling on Lionel Messi’s international career and hopes the curtain will not fall with defeat to Switzerland in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals in Kansas City.
Eight-goal top scorer Messi set up Cristian Romero’s reply and scored the equaliser as the holders recovered from 2-0 behind with 12 minutes of regular time remaining to beat Egypt 3-2 in the last 16.
“Everything comes to an end but let’s hope it’s not over yet,” said De Paul, a teammate of Messi at Inter Miami, speaking to Ole.
“We love him and, as you can see in this World Cup, we need him… he inspires us, he motivates us. It’s crazy what we’re going through.
“We suffered a lot [against Egypt] but we also enjoyed it immensely. There are so many emotions that aren’t easy for one body, one mind to process.”
Switerland captain Granit Xhaka says he has a “fond” memory of playing against Argentina at the 2014 World Cup because it was the midfielder’s first campaign at the tournament.
Angel Di Maria scored the only goal of the game in the 118th minute in Sao Paulo and Sunderland midfielder Xhaka does not have revenge on his mind.
“We know what Argentina are capable of,” accepted the 33-year-old, whose team beat Colombia on penalties in the last 16. “Few talk about our qualities; we’ll give the answers on the pitch.
“I like to dream and sometimes dreams come true. But you have to sweat and perform to make that happen. We have to push ourselves beyond our limits.”
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World Cup 2026: Argentina v Switzerland team news
Lionel Scaloni has only kept the same side three times during his eight-year tenure but the Argentina head coach’s pre-match training sessions have suggested he will not make changes, according to Ole.
Gonzalo Montiel must avoid a caution or incur a suspension.
Johan Manzambi contributed three goals and four assists for Switzerland before being ruled out of the win over Colombia with an injury to his left knee and the 20-year-old remains sidelined.
Defender Luca Jaquez and midfielder Michel Aebischer have muscle injuries and Xhaka, Denis Zakaria and Miro Muheim are a booking away from bans.
Argentina v Switzerland World Cup 2026 predicted line-ups
Argentina starting XI: Emiliano Martinez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico, Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernandez, Alexis Mac Allister, Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez
Switzerland starting XI: Gregor Kobel, Denis Zakaria, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez, Fabian Rieder, Remo Freuler, Ardon Jashari, Granit Xhaka, Dan Ndoye, Breel Embolo
Where to watch Argentina v Switzerland: TV channel, live online streams
Kick-off on Sunday is at 02:00 BST (21:00 ET / 18:00 PT, both Saturday). In the UK, live TV coverage is on ITV1.
Streaming is via ITV’s website and ITVX app, which is available on a vast variety of devices for viewing on the go.
World Cup 2026: Argentina v Switzerland stats
- Argentina have not lost in 11 World Cup matches, which is their longest such undefeated streak in history
- They have scored in each of their 14 World Cup games since losing 3-0 to Croatia during the 2018 group stage
- With at least two goals in each of their last 11 outings, Argentina are on the joint-longest run of scoring multiple goals in the competition history (Uruguay also had 11 between 1930 and 1954)
- Messi became the first player to score in six straight World Cup knockout matches against Egypt but his penalty miss ensured the 39-year-old is the only player in history to fail to convert two spot kickat a single edition of the World Cup
- The captain’s eight goals at the 2026 edition are the most of any player before the quarter-finals, while only Brazil’s Ademir (9 in 1950) has ever scored more at a single World Cup among all South Americans
- Switzerland have never beaten Argentina in seven attempts across all competitions
- Only against Russia have Switzerland established a worse record without ever winning (12 times, including games vs USSR)
- They are the only team yet to trail at any point across the 2026 World Cup campaign, including qualifiers
- From their 10 World Cup matches against South American opposition, Switzerland have one win (D3 L6). That victory came in a 2-1 win over Ecuador in 2014, though they did progress past Colombia in the last round
- Breel Embolo has been directly involved in 13 goals across his last 17 international games across all competitions, scoring 11 and assisting two
World Cup 2026: Argentina v Switzerland prediction
Argentina 1-0 Switzerland
Switzerland seem well-placed to push Argentina as near to the precipice as the underdogs they have already edged past during the knockout stage. Die Nati have conceded more than one goal in one of their last 16 matches, including friendlies, and have only lost by a margin of more than one in one of their last 16 World Cup games.
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