Sports|Football

Last-16 preview: Argentina v Swiss

Argentina will look to their captain Lionel Messi to continue his goal-scoring form in the knockout against the Swiss.

Messi has gone from ordinary to spectacular in the space of minutes during the World Cup [AP]
Published On 1 Jul 2014

Lionel Messi has been the key to Argentina’s perfect start at the World Cup, scoring four of their six goals in three straight group wins, and the South Americans hope his blistering form continues when they face Switzerland in the last-16.

Head to head

 

Argentina have not lost any of the last six games against Switzerland.
 
Last match: Argentina 3-2 Switzerland.

Last WC match: Argentina 2-0 Switzerland

Although Argentina have yet to reach the heights many expected of them in Brazil, Messi has been on a different planet, electrifying crowds and banishing memories of the goal drought he endured in South Africa four years ago.

Keep reading

list of 4 itemsend of list

Fellow forward Sergio Aguero is a major doubt after picking up an injury against Nigeria in their final group game, however, and should he miss out manager Alejandro Sabella may opt for the versatile Ezequiel Lavezzi.

Sabella, though, was playing his cards close to his chest on the eve of the match in Sao Paulo.

Switzerland hope Xherdan Shaqiri, dubbed the ‘Alpine Messi’ for his impish skills, will provide the key to beating Argentina for the first time.

The bustling little forward has been in top form for the Swiss, stealing the show with a hat-trick in a 3-0 win over Honduras that sealed their spot in the last-16.

“The midfield will feed him, and he plays really well up front,” captain Gokhan Inler said of Shaqiri. “The good thing is he cannot be figured out that easily. We need to have him free.”

Venue: Arena de Sao Paulo

Date: Tuesday, July 1

Kick-off: 1600 GMT

Source: Reuters