In the upcoming quarterfinal of the FIFA World Cup, the last non-European team standing meets European rivals, with two more from the continent possibly blocking their path to defend their title.
Just four years ago, Argentina triumphed over France in a penalty shootout, claiming the championship in Qatar, and for the subsequent three and a half years, they didn’t face any other European teams. Their final warmup before this tournament was a straightforward victory over Iceland, and they brushed aside Austria with similar ease during the group stage. However, the stakes are now much higher.
While Switzerland may not seem like the most glamorous opponent, they are well-organized, disciplined, and possess the ability to counterattack effectively—a challenging matchup where style may take a back seat. Lionel Messi knows this all too well, recalling their intense round-of-16 matchup in Brazil 2014, where Argentina clinched a narrow 1-0 victory in the dying moments of extra time.
Messi and his teammates understand that if they want to avoid another nail-biter, they must elevate their performance.
Since winning in Qatar, Argentina has basked in a jubilant atmosphere—celebrating their World Cup victory, navigating through a long CONMEBOL qualification campaign, and even enjoying success in the Copa América two years ago. Their recent friendlies and group stage games have felt like a celebratory tour, honoring not just their third World Cup title but also Messi’s extraordinary career as it nears its conclusion.
Even in their knockout match against Cape Verde, they seemed to be cruising, as if participating in an exhibition match. Yet, they found themselves in a tight squeeze, needing to rally back.
Cape Verde ignited a spark in Argentina that proved beneficial in their last-16 clash against Egypt, where they delivered their best performance of the tournament, even after trailing by two goals. This marked the first time they had been behind in 17 tournament matches since a surprising loss to Saudi Arabia during their opening match in Qatar 2022. They faced a daunting deficit but, amid controversy and drama, managed yet again to find a way to win.
While such victories can boost morale, this is a trend that cannot continue indefinitely. After edging past African teams with two dramatic 3-2 victories, Argentina will likely need to sharpen their efficiency against the European teams awaiting them.
So where can they make improvements?
Defense remains a significant concern. In the previous World Cup, Argentina faltered under pressure during knockout stages against Australia, Netherlands, and France, yet there has been little change in personnel since then. Coach Lionel Scaloni has experimented with younger defenders, but none have stood out convincingly. It’s possible he may revert to veteran defender Nicolás Otamendi against the Swiss.
Center-back Lisandro Martínez has been implicated in defensive lapses, having been at fault for both goals conceded against Egypt and perhaps could have handled Cape Verde’s first goal better. His aerial struggles could be a concern against a Swiss side known for effective crossing.
The more pressing issue may be Argentina’s susceptibility to counterattacks, which led to a goal against Egypt and nearly resulted in another. Just before their late winner, holding midfielder Leandro Paredes intervened with a crucial tackle when it appeared Argentina was about to be overwhelmed again. Scaloni must focus on positioning his players more effectively to ensure they exert pressure on the Swiss to neutralize potential counterattacks.
Another concern is what happens if Messi has an off day. There were expectations prior to the tournament that Argentina’s star would be managed carefully to avoid fatigue. He sat out the concluding minutes of the game against Algeria and played only the last half hour against Jordan. However, he had to play the full 120 minutes vs. Cape Verde and was heavily involved in the dramatic finish against Egypt. Could this take a toll? How will Argentina respond if he doesn’t perform at his exceptionally high standards?
Scaloni believes his side is prepared for any eventuality. Two years ago, it could be argued that they even improved when Messi was sidelined due to injury in the Copa América final against Colombia. He was also absent during perhaps the pinnacle of Scaloni’s coaching tenure: their 4-1 victory over Brazil in Buenos Aires last March.
That match underscored the impact of Julián Álvarez, who emerged as Messi’s primary partner during the Qatar 2022 campaign and has since evolved into one of Argentina’s most dynamic attacking assets. Though he faced challenges leading up to the tournament due to an ankle injury sustained during a rigorous season with Atlético Madrid, he has gradually returned to form during this competition, even starting against Egypt and delivering an outstanding performance before being substituted late in the game.
Álvarez brings a unique rhythm to the team. As a striker with a playmaker’s instincts, he covers the necessary ground alongside Messi, creating combinations and posing a consistent goal threat.
For Argentina to tackle their upcoming challenges, especially against Switzerland and the potential European opponents that follow, Álvarez will need to be at his peak performance.