Messi has been instrumental in Argentina's World Cup campaign, scoring eight goals — level with France's Kylian Mbappe — and inspiring a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the round of 16.

Argentina and Lionel Messi face Murat Yakin's Switzerland in what promises to be a sterner test for the defending champions than any they have encountered so far in the tournament.

The Spanish wunderkid believes his best performances come when the stakes are highest.

Will nostalgic romance continue and another 39-year-old GOAT defy time?

Despite facing tougher tests than expected while navigating a rather easier route compared to others during their World Cup campaign, including a hard-fought qualification against Egypt, Argentina have retained one of the defining traits of Lionel Scaloni's tenure -- control through possession.

FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina defended the officiating in Argentina's 3-2 victory over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16, dismissing allegations of bias and saying match officials operated with complete independence.

Argentina returned to the training ground on Thursday with renewed confidence after their dramatic comeback victory over Egypt in the Round of 16, as Lionel Scaloni's side shifted focus to Sunday's FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Switzerland [7am, Bangladesh Time].

For Argentina, it is becoming inevitable. Messi happened when the World Cup dream was on the brink of ending for the defending champions.

Lionel Messi once retired from international football after blasting a penalty into the American sky to lose a Copa America final 10 years ago.

Lionel Messi said his tears after Argentina's dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt to reach the World Cup quarterfinals were "a release" in what could have been his final international appearance.

“I was always very competitive since I was young, and I hated losing.” Few football fans would need long to identify the speaker. Cristiano Ronaldo has built an extraordinary career on that relentless competitiveness -- a man who rarely accepted defeat and never settled for being second best.

But long after the final whistle, the biggest talking point remained a VAR decision that denied Egypt from extending their lead further, which perhaps could have reshaped the game’s outcome.

Fate in sports is often dictated by the sudden, furious awakening of a protagonist who simply refuses to accept his written ending.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni struggled to contain his emotions while Enzo Fernandez hailed his teammates after their side, inspired by captain Lionel Messi, produced a remarkable late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 and book their place in the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Until the 78th minute, Egypt looked firmly in control, holding a 2-0 lead over Argentina and seemingly cruising into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals at the Atlanta Stadium on Tuesday.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni struggled to contain his emotions after his side, inspired by their great skipper Lionel Messi, produced a remarkable late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 and book their place in the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.

An already electric World Cup atmosphere is set to reach a crescendo tonight as two icons of modern football – Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah -- clash in a blockbuster Round of 16 tie at the Atlanta Stadium.

Defy football history as Argentina aims to break the FIFA World Cup number one ranking curse in 2026. Lionel Messi and Scaloni lead the defending champions, inspiring diverse fan debates on squad grit and winning DNA.

Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah will take centre stage on Tuesday when defending champions Argentina face Egypt in their last-16 clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with both sides given little time to recover from exhausting Round-of-32 battles.

Argentina and Egypt will meet at the World Cup for the first time.