Lead

Argentina stand as the only non-European nation in the World Cup quarter-finals, a position secured largely through the brilliance of Lionel Messi. The defending champions face Switzerland on Saturday in Kansas City, with coach Lionel Scaloni defending his captain's penalty record and insisting Messi remains the best player in the world.

Coverage comparison

Reports from the Buenos Aires Times paint a picture of a team leaning heavily on its 39-year-old talisman. Messi has scored eight of Argentina's 14 goals at the tournament, level with France's Kylian Mbappé in the Golden Boot race. The team's dependence on him is a recurring theme, with one analysis noting that when the ball does not pass through their captain, the Albiceleste produce football that is "overly static and predictable."

Scaloni, however, remains steadfast in his support. He told reporters on Friday that he has no intention of appointing a different penalty taker, despite Messi missing two spot-kicks at the tournament. "It wouldn't even occur to me to tell him not to take the next one," Scaloni said. "He can do whatever he wants out there on the pitch."

Messi's career World Cup penalty record stands at four conversions from eight attempts, a statistic that has not diminished Scaloni's faith. "As long as he wants to keep playing, he'll be the best," the coach said.

Key claims

  • Lionel Messi missed two penalties at the World Cup, against Austria in the group stage and in the last-16 clash with Egypt.
  • Messi has converted only four of his eight World Cup spot-kicks in his career.
  • Argentina are the only non-European nation in the quarter-finals, after Morocco were eliminated by France.
  • Messi has scored eight of Argentina's 14 goals at the tournament and is level with Kylian Mbappé on eight goals in the Golden Boot race.
  • Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka told fans to "keep dreaming" as he prepares to lead his team against Argentina.
  • Switzerland midfielder Johan Manzambi will not feature against Argentina due to injury.

Perspectives

Lionel Scaloni (Argentina coach): Defends Messi's penalty-taking role and praises his performance, saying the captain will be the best as long as he wants to be. He wants his team to be remembered as a side that "never gave up."

Granit Xhaka (Switzerland captain): Urges fans to keep dreaming and says Switzerland's overarching aim is to beat Argentina and reach the semi-finals. He admits it is not possible to keep Messi quiet for the whole match but says his team will be "smart."

Murat Yakin (Switzerland coach): Says he has "many solutions" to stop Messi and that his team will perform as a unit, pressing high against the reigning champions.