Lionel Messi and Argentina are weak forward of World Cup matchup, claims Switzerland coach

have drawn as their subsequent opponents within the quarterfinals, following their penalty shootout win in opposition to within the Spherical of 16, and head coach Murat Yakin feels it is a winnable match for them.

Whereas acknowledging that going through Argentina is way from ideally suited, Yakin believes there are areas the place they will damage them, because the reigning World Cup champions and of their previous two knockout video games. If it weren’t for ’s heroics, La Albiceleste would’ve been eradicated already.

Commercial

“We’re enjoying in opposition to the world champion. There’s nothing higher than having this chance. However it’s additionally been clear, over the past two matches, that Argentina is weak,”

“I feel we now have earned our opponents’ respect. Tactically, it’s going to be an fascinating match. We’re able to rattling the world champions. For a nation like Switzerland, enjoying a quarter-final in opposition to Argentina is a large second. So, expectations are large. I feel I’ll nonetheless want a couple of hours, perhaps even a day, to completely notice what is going on to us,” he added.

MORE:

June 22, 2026; Arlington, Texas, U.S.; Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring their second objective. Necessary Credit score: Jerome Miron-Imagn Pictures

Argentina are unbeaten in opposition to Switzerland within the World Cup

Argentina and Switzerland are set to sq. off at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas Metropolis on Saturday, marking their third-ever assembly within the World Cup stage.

Commercial

These two nations final confronted off within the 2014 World Cup, when scored the profitable objective for La Albiceleste in additional time to safe a 1-0 Spherical of 16 victory. Argentina ultimately misplaced to (through the identical scoreline) within the ultimate.

Earlier than 2014, their solely match assembly got here in the course of the group stage of the 1966 World Cup, when Argentina received 2-0 en path to taking the second seed in Group 2 earlier than shedding 1-0 to within the quarterfinals.

Regardless of this, Argentina received’t have it straightforward in opposition to Switzerland this weekend. To Murat Yakin’s level, Lionel Messi’s facet has struggled in opposition to counterattacks and opposing wingers, whereas the shortage of targets from their strikers is one other space they may look to enhance.

Related posts

Why USMNT will share half of $12.8 million World Cup payout with girls’s crew

‘Terrible’ Christian Pulisic blasted over ‘totally disappointing’ USMNT World Cup performances

World Cup prize cash: How a lot does 2026 champion receives a commission?