​KANSAS CITY, Mo. – In this World Cup of stars, Lionel Messi continues to shine as Argentina pursues a second consecutive title, a feat that only Italy and Brazil have achieved in World Cup history. Led by Diego Maradona, Argentina once came perilously close to matching that benchmark. The 1986 World Cup champions in Mexico fell to Germany in the final at Italia ’90, undone by a late penalty kick at the Olympic Stadium in Rome. Now, with a 39-year-old Messi still at the peak of his powers, La Albiceleste is two wins away from stepping into the same position as that 1990 squad. The first of those tests comes Saturday night at Arrowhead Stadium, where Argentina faces Switzerland in the quarterfinals.
Messi’s level of play has been so extraordinary that recounting the records he breaks from game to game has become almost routine, yet they remain impossible to ignore. He sits tied atop the tournament scoring chart with France’s Kylian Mbappé, each with eight goals, and has extended his all-time World Cup record to 21 goals in 30 matches across six tournaments. He has also scored in nine consecutive World Cup matches, a streak dating back to Argentina’s Round of 16 victory over Australia during its run to the title at Qatar 2022 — Argentina’s third World Cup championship after triumphs on home soil in 1978 and in Mexico in 1986.
With Messi again leading the attack, the principal question facing head coach Lionel Scaloni is who will partner the captain up front. The competition remains open between Julián Álvarez and Lautaro Martínez. Álvarez had been working his way back from a right ankle injury suffered shortly before the tournament began, and his form has not yet reached the level he showed with Atlético Madrid last season. He started the difficult Round of 16 match against Egypt in Atlanta, a 3-2 victory, but delivered an uneven performance. Martínez, who began the tournament as a starter due to Álvarez’s injury but was benched against Egypt, played a crucial role after coming on against the African side, helping spark Argentina’s dramatic late comeback.
Another lingering question concerns the right-back position. Nahuel Molina started against Egypt, while Gonzalo Montiel finished the match after coming off the bench during the comeback. Molina offers more from the build-up—joining the attack from the back—whereas Montiel is often viewed as providing greater defensive solidity. The rest of the lineup is expected to remain the same: Emiliano Martínez in goal; Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez in central defense; and Nicolás Tagliafico at left back. The midfield remains anchored by Leandro Paredes, with Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, and Alexis Mac Allister providing support.
Argentina’s prior meeting with Switzerland ended in a hard-fought 1-0 victory, a result that underscored the competitive balance between the teams. As the search for a balanced attacking arrangement continues, Scaloni will weigh the durability and impact of his forward pairing, aiming to keep Messi fresh while maximizing the pressing and tempo that have defined Argentina’s approach in this tournament. The Swiss pose a stern test for a side that has thrived on resilience and precision, and they will be looking to disrupt Argentina’s rhythm and force the match into late, decisive moments. In a World Cup loaded with stars, Messi’s pursuit of back-to-back titles for Argentina remains the brightest storyline, and history would crown him with one more historic chapter if the team can navigate the remaining hurdles.