The last non-European team to participate in the 2026 World Cup will face a representative of the old continent in the quarter-finals. If they want to defend the throne, Argentina will have to overcome two more European opponents on the road ahead.
4 years ago, Argentina defeated France in a penalty shootout to win the World Cup in Qatar. Since then, they have spent more than three and a half years without facing any European teams. Before this year's tournament, Lionel Scaloni's team easily overcame Iceland in the final friendly match, and then continued to defeat Austria in the group stage. However, from the quarter-finals, all challenges will have a completely different level.
Switzerland may not be the most glamorous opponent, but they are a very well-organized team, patient and especially dangerous in counter-attacks. This is the type of opponent that makes it very difficult for big teams to deploy their playing style as desired. Lionel Messi certainly understands that. He probably still hasn't forgotten the confrontation with Switzerland in the round of 16 of the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where Argentina struggled to win 1-0 thanks to a goal in the final minutes of extra time.
Messi and his teammates all understand that if they do not want to fall into a similar risky game, they need to elevate their performance.
Since winning the 2022 World Cup, Argentina has always played in an exciting atmosphere. The whole team is enjoying a long journey of glory, not only to celebrate the third world championship but also to show gratitude for the last years of Messi's glorious career.
Even in the second half of the match against Cabo Verde in the round of 32, Argentina still played with a very comfortable mentality, as if participating in a friendly match. However, in just a moment, they pushed themselves into a difficult position and were forced to rise up to rescue themselves.
The match against Cabo Verde seemed to have awakened Argentina's bravery. That lesson was more clearly shown in the round of 16 against Egypt, where they probably played best since the beginning of the tournament but were still 2 goals down. This is the first time Argentina has been in a goalless position at the World Cup, since the shock against Saudi Arabia in the opening match of the 2022 World Cup. The gap this time is even greater than the match against Cabo Verde, but amidst the controversy and tense atmosphere, Argentina once again created an emotional comeback.
Such victories will certainly bring great confidence. However, it will not be easy for them to continuously escape danger in that way. After two dramatic 3-2 victories against African representatives, Argentina must play more effectively and surely if they want to overcome European opponents in the remaining journey.
So what do they need to improve?
First of all, the defense, which has always been a big concern. 4 years ago, Argentina repeatedly faced fierce pressure against Australia, the Netherlands and France in the knockout rounds. To date, the personnel in the defense have hardly changed. Scaloni once gave opportunities to some young defenders but no one was strong enough to convince him. Therefore, it is possible that the veterans will return in the confrontation with Switzerland.
Lisandro Martinez made mistakes in both goals conceded against Egypt, and also had some responsibility in the goal conceded against Cabo Verde. This center-back's aerial ability also revealed limitations when he continuously lost to Egyptian strikers. Scaloni can continue to place his trust in Martinez, or choose Nicolas Otamendi's experience against an opponent who is predicted to exploit many crosses.
However, what is even more worrying is Argentina's fragility in state transitions. This weakness caused them to concede a goal and almost pay more for it against Egypt. Even, right before the decisive goal at the end of the match, Leandro Paredes had to make an important save to prevent the opponent from counter-attacking.
Surely, Scaloni will pay special attention to this aspect, requiring his players to maintain better formation distance and immediately put pressure after losing the ball to stifle Switzerland's counter-attacks.
