In both knockout round matches, Argentina was pushed into a corner. Especially against Egypt in the round of 16, being led 2-0 until the 78th minute was a very big shock. However, instead of collapsing, they scored three consecutive goals in the last 15 minutes to complete the emotional comeback. In my opinion, that is the clearest proof of the "DNA of victory" that Argentina has built over the years.
As for Lionel Messi, he clearly had to bear a lot of pressure, especially after missing a penalty.
However, the class of a great man is always shown at the right time. In my opinion, that is Messi's greatest value. He does not need to be perfect in every moment, but always knows how to make a difference at the most important moment.
Entering the quarter-finals, in my opinion, all four matches have very different tactical colors and promise to create exciting matches.
First of all, the confrontation between France and Morocco. This will be a very big test of tactical discipline. The French team still shows their inherent pragmatism and coldness, while Morocco continues to show the image of a resilient team with very effective counter-attacking defense. If they maintain the certainty from the beginning of the tournament, Morocco can completely create many difficulties for the opponent.
In the match between Spain and Belgium, I think this is a battle between two football schools of thought. The hot spot that determines the match will be in the midfield area.
Meanwhile, the confrontation between Norway and England is also very anticipated. Their next challenge is Erling Haaland and Norway's very high-performance attack. If the England defense continues to reveal a lack of concentration like in recent matches, they could completely become the next victim of the Norwegian phenomenon.
Finally, the match between Argentina and Switzerland. In my opinion, this will be a confrontation between "solid shields and sharp spears". Switzerland possesses a very highly organized and disciplined defense system in each position. Meanwhile, Argentina's defense still reveals no small gaps in recent matches. I think Switzerland will try to drag the match into a stalemate, consume the opponent's fitness and force Argentina's attacking stars to maximize every smallest opportunity.
In general, I assess that the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup will be a round that is more focused on tactics than individual performances. Therefore, adaptability, discipline in playing style and bravery at decisive moments will be factors that make a difference.
