“Switzerland to win in extra-time” - Former France World Cup winner predicts Lionel Messi and Argentina will be knocked out in quarter-final

× Lionel Messi and Argentina come up against Switzerland at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the last quarter-final tie of the competition. Ad The defending world champions survived an almighty scare against Egypt in the last round, fighting back from two goals down to win 3-2. Enzo Fernandez netted a stoppage-time winner to complete the turnaround, after Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi brought them level, as Argentina's dream of lifting back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles was kept alive.

Now against a sturdy Swiss side, who knocked Colombia out in the last round, Lionel Scaloni's side face another tough, tactical battle in Kansas. Ad Trending Former France international Frank Leboeuf has made a bold prediction that Switzerland could knock Lionel Messi and Argentina out with a narrow win. Speaking on ESPN FC, the 1998 World Cup winning ex-defender said: “I’m going to go for Switzerland [to win] in extra-time.

2-1 win.” It's a massive statement from Lebouef, given very few are actually expecting Switzerland to defeat Argentina, despite the latter's defensive issues lately. Ad Having conceded just once in the group stages, the Albiceleste has shipped in two goals each against Cape Verde and Egypt in two knockout games so far.

Both teams managed to give Lionel Messi and co. a serious run for their money although their superior quality eventually prevailed. Against the Swiss, who are into the FIFA World Cup last-eight for the first time since 1954, Argentina are once again the favorites.

However, Murat Yakin's side made a real statement with a resilient display against Colombia, holding the South American giants to a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes before prevailing 4-3 in the penalty shootout. Ad Lionel Messi and Argentina look to continue unbeaten streak Argentina have never lost to Switzerland in any of their previous seven meetings, winning five. It includes two victories in the FIFA World Cup, 2-0 in 1966 followed by a narrow 1-0 extra-time triumph in 2014.

What's also interesting is that Lionel Messi had scored a sensational hat-trick against Switzerland once, back in March 2012 when the sides met in a friendly. Ad Having struck eight goals at the current FIFA World Cup edition so far, the most alongside France's Kylian Mbappe, Messi will be keen to add to his tally here.The forward has taken the tournament by storm, having struck in every single game for Argentina, who are favorites to reach the finals for the second time in a row.

Clearly, the odds are stacked heavily against Switzerland here, but it will be interesting to see if the 19th-ranked side can really pull off an unthinkable upset. × Was this article helpful? Thank You for feedback Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Nived Zenith Lionel Messi and Argentina come up against Switzerland at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the last quarter-final tie of the competition.

Ad The defending world champions survived an almighty scare against Egypt in the last round, fighting back from two goals down to win 3-2. Enzo Fernandez netted a stoppage-time winner to complete the turnaround, after Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi brought them level, as Argentina's dream of lifting back-to-back FIFA World Cup titles was kept alive. Now against a sturdy Swiss side, who knocked Colombia out in the last round, Lionel Scaloni's side face another tough, tactical battle in Kansas.

Ad Trending Former France international Frank Leboeuf has made a bold prediction that Switzerland could knock Lionel Messi and Argentina out with a narrow win. Speaking on ESPN FC, the 1998 World Cup winning ex-defender said: “I’m going to go for Switzerland [to win] in extra-time. 2-1 win.”

It's a massive statement from Lebouef, given very few are actually expecting Switzerland to defeat Argentina, despite the latter's defensive issues lately. Ad Having conceded just once in the group stages, the Albiceleste has shipped in two goals each against Cape Verde and Egypt in two knockout games so far. Both teams managed to give Lionel Messi and co.

a serious run for their money although their superior quality eventually prevailed. Against the Swiss, who are into the FIFA World Cup last-eight for the first time since 1954, Argentina are once again the favorites. However, Murat Yakin's side made a real statement with a resilient display against Colombia, holding the South American giants to a 0-0 draw in 120 minutes before prevailing 4-3 in the penalty shootout.

Ad Lionel Messi and Argentina look to continue unbeaten streak Argentina have never lost to Switzerland in any of their previous seven meetings, winning five. It includes two victories in the FIFA World Cup, 2-0 in 1966 followed by a narrow 1-0 extra-time triumph in 2014. What's also interesting is that Lionel Messi had scored a sensational hat-trick against Switzerland once, back in March 2012 when the sides met in a friendly.

Ad Having struck eight goals at the current FIFA World Cup edition so far, the most alongside France's Kylian Mbappe, Messi will