Lionel Messi failed to score for the first time in 10 FIFA World Cup 2026 matches, but the Argentina captain still played a key role in his side’s 3-1 extra-time win over Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.Messi’s nine-match streak has come to an end but he provided the assist for Argentina’s opening goal as the defending champions booked their place in the semi-finals. Argentina will now face England in the last four.
magical messiah
Argentina took the lead in the 10th minute through Alexis MacAllister. The move started with Messi, who won a corner after some clever footwork on the left side. The Inter Miami star then had a perfect cross into the box, where Mac Allister found himself at home to make it 1-0.Switzerland fought back in the second half, with Dan Ndoye scoring the equalizer in the 67th minute to force extra time.Julian Alvarez restored Argentina’s lead with a brilliant long-range strike in the 112th minute, before Lautaro Martinez sealed a 3-1 victory with a goal in the final seconds.
Switzerland managed to stop Messi from scoring
Before the game, Switzerland coach Murat Yakin was asked how his team planned to stop Messi, who had scored in each of his nine World Cup games.Yakin answered with a smile: “This is a very surprising question. There are many solutions, and we will try to find the best solution. We can talk a lot about this, but in the end it will really translate in the field, and we have our solutions.”Switzerland managed to keep Messi off the scoresheet, but they couldn’t stop him from influencing the game with his passing and creativity.
Scaloni praises Messi
Messi enjoyed another memorable World Cup campaign, scoring eight goals before the match in Switzerland and helping Argentina reach the semi-finals.Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni once again praised his captain after the win.“He is like a machine. Those who are not so familiar with him could be surprised, and at the age of 39 some people think that he has not risen to the challenge.”Scaloni added: “But I said it before, as long as he wants to be the best – and I’m not saying because I’m coaching him – but because if he wants to continue, he will continue to be the best.”Although Messi’s remarkable scoring run has come to an end, his assists have ensured he once again played a decisive role as Argentina moved closer to defending their FIFA World Cup title