The round of 16 phase of the 2026 World Cupa round full of emotions, controversies, tension, joy and disappointment. Now there are only eight teams left and there are few surprises on this privileged list, such as Norway either Swissalthough, in general terms, the favorites They have responded very well to pressure.
The current champion of the world, Argentinasuffered before Cape Verde and Egyptbut he managed overcome in both matches with the same score: 3-2where the figures that have shone the most are Lionel MessiLysander MartinezEnzo Fernandez and Christian Rosemaryamong other players of the Albicelestewho are looking for the two-time championship.
Argentina is ranked as favorite along with France and Spainwhich have responded adequately to the pressure of a knockout phase. However, whoever has seen the scoring ability of Erling Haaland can understand why the Norwegian team is in the quarter finals of a World Cup for first time in its history.
However, the Albiceleste still does not have to worry about France and Spain, candidates to keep the World Cupbecause your next challenge will be Switzerland, a team that surprised the world after eliminating Algeria in the round of 32 already Colombia in the round of 16, in a penalty shootout that was heart-stopping.
When does the Albiceleste play again?
The Argentine team will face Switzerland next Saturday July 11at 7:00 p.m. of Guatemala, in the Arrowhead Stadiumlocated in Kansas City, Missouri, where almost 79 thousand spectators hope to witness the match that will define the last semi-finalist, who will face Norway or England in the next phase of the World Cup.
The current world champion has had a difficult path in this knockout phase, given that he first played a match very complicated against the surprising Cape Verde in the round of 32, who managed to compete almost as equals. However, the Albiceleste won the extra time 3-2, after a own goal by defender Diney Borges.
Read more about the 2026 World Cup: What could be Argentina’s path to reach the World Cup final?
Later, against the Egyptian team, in the round of 16, the story was even more complicatedsince, at minute 79, Argentina lost 2-0. Despite this, those led by the technician Lionel Scaloni they made a comeback epic and they won again 3-2, with another goal from Messi, who now has eight in this World Cup.
Faced with this scenario, according to the Argentine coach, there is the difference, because the Argentine team has the magic of one legend: “The magic of a 39-year-old player who does not seem become extinct and that, in the face of a very orderly and rigorousit will be vital for Argentina to reach the semifinal,” argued Scaloni.
In search of the two-time championship
Argentina you know how to win one World Cup and almost the 60% of this team was part of the feat in the World Cup Qatar 2022. This has been demonstrated in these last two games, in which it was clear that his main objective is two-time championshipsomething that only Italy (1934-1938) and Brazil (19658-1962) have achieved.
However, Argentine coach Lionel Scaloni must be working the defensive failures and performance that allowed the Cape Verde and Egyptian teams to put into practice dangerfor a few minutes, the golden dream of the Argentines, given that Switzerland stands out for its tactical solidity, defensive discipline and collective competitiveness.
— 🇦🇷 Argentina National Team ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 7, 2026