KANSAS CITY, MO — All , the has been on the lookout for somebody aside from to step up when wanted most.
After Messi helped the and spurred a , he had a quiet sport by his lofty requirements within the quarterfinal with on Saturday, June 11. He arrange the opening purpose within the 3-1 additional time win from a nook kick however then watched as forwards and have been capable of rating the decisive objectives late within the sport.
Requested if Alvarez scored in Messi’s model on Saturday, the star emphasised that Alvarez has a mode all his personal.
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“No, no, he scored a golazo, however it’s not the primary time. He’s scored a number of like that. It was a golazo,” Messi mentioned, utilizing a phrase that emphasizes the standard of a well-hit purpose. “He has an excellent strike of the ball and confirmed it as we speak. He’s been displaying it for a very long time.
“With , he had lots of objectives that have been comparable, and actually I’m simply proud of the end result, as a result of he scored, as a result of Lautaro scored. We would have liked each of them. I’m very proud of all the things.”
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Messi’s Argentina and Switzerland collide in World Cup quarterfinal
Messi’s Argentina and Switzerland collide in a World Cup quarterfinal with a spot within the semifinals at stake.
See moments from the showdown in Kansas Metropolis because the defending champions attempt to maintain their title protection alive in opposition to an upstart Swiss facet.
Above, Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina warms up earlier than the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Remaining match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas Metropolis Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.
(Carl Recine, Getty Pictures)
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Messi’s Argentina and Switzerland collide in World Cup quarterfinal
Messi’s Argentina and Switzerland collide in a World Cup quarterfinal with a spot within the semifinals at stake.
See moments from the showdown in Kansas Metropolis because the defending champions attempt to maintain their title protection alive in opposition to an upstart Swiss facet.
Above, Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina warms up earlier than the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Remaining match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas Metropolis Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.
(Carl Recine, Getty Pictures)
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Messi’s Argentina and Switzerland collide in World Cup quarterfinal
Granit Xhaka #10 of Switzerland warms up earlier than the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Remaining match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas Metropolis Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.
(Kevin C. Cox, Getty Pictures)
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Messi’s Argentina and Switzerland collide in World Cup quarterfinal
Switzerland’s defender #13 Ricardo Rodriguez warms up forward of the 2026 World Cup soccer event quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland on the Kansas Metropolis Stadium in Kansas Metropolis on July 11, 2026.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
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Messi’s Argentina and Switzerland collide in World Cup quarterfinal
Argentina’s followers cheer their group forward of the 2026 World Cup soccer event quarter-final match between Argentina and Switzerland on the Kansas Metropolis Stadium in Kansas Metropolis on July 11, 2026.
(CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
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Messi’s Argentina and Switzerland collide in World Cup quarterfinal
Argentina followers cheer within the stands earlier than the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Remaining match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas Metropolis Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.
(Carl Recine, Getty Pictures)
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Messi’s Argentina and Switzerland collide in World Cup quarterfinal
Argentina followers cheer within the stands earlier than the FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter Remaining match between Argentina and Switzerland at Kansas Metropolis Stadium on July 11, 2026 in Kansas Metropolis, Missouri.
(Lars Baron, Getty Pictures)
. Argentina began properly with Messi’s nook kick discovering the top of for the opening purpose within the tenth minute. However Switzerland discovered an equalizer by way of within the 67th minute. The Swiss have been lowered to 10 males 5 minutes later after ahead noticed a second yellow, with the proven to Argentina midfielder and as an alternative e book .
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Even up a person, nonetheless, Argentina was unable to interrupt down a resolute and bodily Swiss protection, needing the extra-time interval to get the breakthrough from Alvarez and the insurance coverage from Martinez.
For Messi, it was one other instance of the group’s resiliency that has not solely pushed it to a July 15 semifinal in opposition to England, but additionally led to the group’s World Cup win in 2022 and the triumphs within the Copa América in 2021 and 2024, the primary trophies for Argentina at South America’s continental championship since 1993.
“This group competes and by no means stops pushing, wanting extra, to maintain being on the extent of the perfect,” Messi mentioned. “As I just lately mentioned, it’s not regular what this group has accomplished: Being world champions, profitable Copa América and getting again once more to be among the many 4 finest groups, it’s not regular what it’s doing.
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“It’s a must to get pleasure from it like we’re having fun with it, just like the followers are having fun with it, as we noticed. We’ll now go to compete as soon as extra as we at all times do in opposition to an influence, a terrific nationwide group.”
Whereas Argentina supervisor , restoration is paramount not just for Messi, but additionally for different veterans on the squad who’ve now had a pair of extra-time matches, plus the rally in opposition to Egypt wherein the group emptied the tank to complete the sport in 90 minutes.
“It’s about making an attempt to relaxation as a result of we’ve racked up lots of minutes, had lots of put on and tear,” Messi mentioned. “The group clearly feels that, so we’ve got to enter the semifinal in the perfect situation to have the ability to do what we’ve been doing and compete.”
Argentina is about for a restoration session Sunday night time, coaching at its base camp in Kansas Metropolis, KS. Sometimes, the beginning lineup from the day before today’s sport — — doesn’t participate in the primary session.
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The complete group will practice July 13 earlier than a July 14 session on the day earlier than the sport that often sees full participation in less-intensive drills earlier than the semifinal match on July 15.
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US ahead #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his group’s third purpose in the course of the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US ahead #20 Folarin Balogun (C) celebrates with teammates after scoring his group’s third purpose in the course of the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(PATRICK T. FALLON, AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
Folarin Balogun #20 of the US scores his group’s third purpose in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Richard Heathcote, Getty Pictures)
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
Cesar Samudio #12 of Panama fails to avoid wasting a shot from Giovanni Reyna #7 of the US as he scores his group’s fourth purpose in the course of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Paraguay at Los Angeles Stadium on June 12, 2026 in Los Angeles.
(Jamie Squire, Getty Pictures)
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna (R) scores his group’s fourth purpose in the course of the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP by way of Getty Pictures)
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Pictures reveal unforgettable World Cup motion and emotion
US gamers have a good time the fourth purpose by midfielder #07 Giovanni Reyna in the course of the 2026 World Cup Group D soccer match between USA and Paraguay on the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood on June 12, 2026.
(VALERIE MACON, AFP by way of Getty Pictures)