Lionel Messi looked up to Argentina’s tenacious approach when the defending champion team made it to the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 through a gripping match with Switzerland.
Kansas City had Argentina at its limit, but the Argentines ultimately won the game in overtime, 3-1. The Swiss kept Lionel Scaloni’s side stymied in the aftermath as Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Martinez picked up the pace to ensure Argentina’s World Cup championship dream was alive.
Messi did not contribute to his tally of goals in the restricted time of the quarter-final, but his leadership was crucial. The Argentina captain remained as a loyal figure through to the final whistle, pumping up his team as the pressure mounted and Switzerland had the potential to create a World Cup upset.
After the win, Messi said that the game was a “tiring test of the character and the strength” of the Argentines. He said the competition was “very tough” but was pleased to progress to the next four and get a rest period to restock for the upcoming competition.
Later, the Ballon d’Or winner took to social media to toast the win, with a focus on the faith in the Argentina team.
The team never gives up,” Messi wrote before celebrating Argentina’s return to the semi-final of the World Cup.
Argentina’s attacking consistency has also resulted in an outstanding record in the tournament. The South American side has now put itself into the company of Brazil, Germany, Hungary, and Uruguay, all of whom had 16-match scoring streaks in the FIFA World Cup.
The spotlight now shifts to a blockbuster Argentina-England clash at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday in the semi-finals. Some of world football’s greatest names will be up against each other in the eagerly awaited duel, which could become one of the most memorable games of the 2026 tournament.
Argentina is attempting to advance to its second consecutive World Cup final and, for the first time in 58 years, to defend the cup. Messi has been up front, and the rest of the team is on fire, and it feels like a second historic success could be on the horizon.
