Argentina vs Switzerland will decide who moves into the final four and faces off against England or Norway in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals.
Nobody would have predicted that the 2022 World Champions would have been taken to the absolute wire and back by Cape Verde and Egypt, two glorious nations that won our hearts, yet they did.
Argentina‘s path to the semi-final, compared to that of Spain, France and England, has been easier than many would have expected, but can they progress with greater ease against Switzerland?
Argentina vs Switzerland prediction
Lionel Messi has been remarkable this tournament, but can a run of Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde and Egypt be used to define him?
Messi has Kylian Mbappe, the greatest World Cup player in history, hot on his tail in the Golden Boot race, and Switzerland, then Norway or England, stand in his way of another final versus France.
There is no excuse for Messi not to perform in this clash, nor is there any excuse for Argentina to not win with ease.
Switzerland possess a disciplined, built-for-the-pressure squad, but it lacks the star power of the South American side, and the expectation.
If anything can will the Swiss to victory, it will be that absence of expectation, but Argentina are in dire need of a statement win.
Being ran into the ground by Cape Verde and Egypt of all teams is not only a poor look, it’s a bad omen for when they inevitably face serious heavy hitters at this tournament, if they progress.
Argentina have far, far too much of a reliance on and focal point in Messi, that has made them play with hesitance this tournament.
By looking for him in every moment, and acting as though their game is dictated solely by Messi’s performance, has killed this side, and made them prone to collapse at the hands of minnow nations.
Argentina have been anything but impressive, and Switzerland will have a chance to capitalise on that.
Unfortunately for the Swiss, world champions don’t allow these bad runs to stretch for too long, and they will be on the receiving end of their resurgence.
Argentina vs Switzerland score prediction
They will fight valiantly, but this will be the first knockout match that Argentina win without controversy or struggle.
And, of course, the man to spearhead that will be Messi, setting up a semi-final showdown with England or Norway that will give him an opportunity to prove he still has it against the best opposition.
Prediction: Argentina 2-0 Switzerland