Argentina v Switzerland LIVE: Lionel Messi eyes World Cup semi-finals with two major decisions over starting line-up | OneFootball

Argentina are back in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals and they will hope Lionel Messi can inspire them past Switzerland after a major scare against Egypt.

The thrilling comeback, inspired by Messi and finished off by Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time winner prompted controversial views from Egypt and conspiracy theories.

An emotional Argentina, which saw Lionel Scaloni and Messi both in tears after the last 16, have leant on their iconic No 10, who is in fine form, having reinvented his game and reduced his physical output until the major moments arrive and another is bound to arrive tonight in Kansas City.

But Switzerland are resolute and have overcome penalties against Colombia to be here.

Follow all the latest updates with senior football correspondent Richard Jolly in place at Kansas City’s Arrowhead to see who grabs the final place in the semi-finals:

Argentina v Switzerland - World Cup 2026 quarter-finals

Artists restore gigantic Messi mural in his hometown

Lionel Messi has had a fresh lick of paint.

"We called the mural 'From another galaxy' ‌but in reality he's a human ​like us, who had to deal ‌with a lot ⁠of challenges from childhood, who was ⁠born among humble working people, who rose above ‌it," said ​Lisandro Urteaga, one of ‌the artists.

A 534-square-meter (5,748-square-foot) mural on the side of a building in `downtown Rosario, his hometown in Argentina, has been restored and inaugurated just in time for the top-scoring forward's World Cup quarter-final `match against Switzerland. The restoration ​of ⁠the mural, which was originally painted in 2021, needed 300 litres (79 ⁠gallons) of paint, said Marlene Zuriaga, one ​of ⁠the project directors.The work, titled "From another galaxy and from my city," also now boasts three stars on the giant Messi's jersey badge, one for each of Argentina's three World Cup wins, and the word "Gracias!" ("Thank you!") at the `top. Global superstar Messi, now 39, became the World Cup's all-time leading goalscorer during this tournament. But he got his start in football at local Rosario team Newell's Old Boys.

Argentine icon Antonio Rattín dies, aged 84

Argentine Antonio Rattín, a former Boca Juniors player whose act of defiance while representing Argentina at the 1966 World Cup helped lead to the introduction of yellow and red cards, has died, the country’s football federation said Saturday. He was 84.

Rattín died in Buenos Aires, according to the Argentine Football Association, or AFA, which expressed its “deepest sorrow at the passing of a historic symbol of Boca Juniors and the national team,” with whom he played in two World Cups.

A defensive midfielder known for his physical, hard-tackling style, Rattín won six Argentine league titles with Boca Juniors and was a Copa Libertadores runner-up in 1963.

“Rattín was one of us and loved these colours so much that they were the only ones he chose to defend throughout his 14-year career. A leader, an Argentine and forever a Bostero,” the club said.

With Argentina, Rattín played at the 1962 World Cup in Chile and the 1966 tournament in England, and also finished runner-up in the Copa América twice.

Antonio Rattin (left), captain of Argentina, and Switzerland captain René Brodmann at the 1966 World Cup (Getty)

Jack Rathborn11 July 2026 22:35

Argentina v Switzerland - World Cup 2026 quarter-finals

Good evening and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of Argentina v Switzerland in the final World Cup 2026 quarter-final.

Lionel Messi is back and hoping to continue his outstanding form, which has seen him sit level on goals with Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot.

Switzerland held their nerve on penalties against Colombia and have remained under the radar throughout the tournament.

Follow all the build-up to the game, which follows Norway v England.