Argentina vs Switzerland predictions: Defending champions can make most of second chance
Phil Agius
Switzerland have never beaten Argentina
Both teams have scored in Argentina's last three matches
Recommended bet: Argentina to win & both teams to score @ 3/1 with LiveScore Bet
Score prediction: Argentina 2-1 Switzerland
Argentina pulled off a crazy comeback to avoid a major upset in the round of 16, but after beating Egypt 3-2 they can make the most of their second chance by seeing off Switzerland in the last of the 2026 World Cup quarter-finals.
The South American side were 2-0 down after 78 minutes but scored three late goals to break Egyptian hearts. They will need to cut out the mistakes that got them into trouble if they are to prevail against a solid Swiss side, who showed steel and nerve to come through a penalty shootout against Colombia in their last-16 match.
Argentina remain one of the favourites to retain the trophy they won in 2022, while star man Lionel Messi headed the market to be top tournament goalscorer after the last round with eight goals, despite missing two penalties.
Date, kick-off time, stadium, competition
Sunday July 12th, 2am BST (UK) at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri – World Cup 2026 quarter-final
Where to Watch
ITV, STV, ITVX, STV Player
Outright Odds
Argentina – 4/1 Switzerland – 33/1
Recommended bet | Stat |
|---|---|
Tie/Argentina Half-TimeFull Time | Argentina have scored only one first-half goal in their two knockout matches |
Breel Embolo over 0.5 shots on target | The Swiss striker has scored twice in the tournament and is their penalty taker |
Lionel Messi anytime goalscorer | Messi has scored in all five of Argentina's World Cup matches |
Denis Zakaria to get a card | The combative Zakaria has been deployed as a right-back in this tournament and has already picked up two bookings |
Over 2.5 goals | All five of Argentina's matches have produced at least two goals in 90 minutes and two of their last three games have had 4+ goals |
Deep in the second half of Argentina's round-of-16-clash against Egypt it seemed as if the African side would be heading into the quarter-finals, but instead the South American team survived to take their place against Switzerland.
They should make the most of their second chance to march on to the semi-finals but the match in Kansas City, Missouri, is likely to be another stern test of their abilities and the Swiss are capable of getting on the scoresheet in defeat.
Despite the regular heroics from main man Lionel Messi, Argentina have had a pretty comfortable draw to this point, so it should be a concern for anyone who has backed them to retain the trophy that they have had some serious scares already.
Algeria, Austria and Jordan were all dispatched by Argentina in the group stage, but Jordan got on the scoresheet against them in their final match and they have conceded four times — including an extra-time goal by Cape Verde — in their two knockout matches.
The Swiss have scored only two goals in their two knockout matches but they have enough talent in their team to fancy their chances of making a breakthrough against an Argentina defence that has looked vulnerable.
They were not able to add to their tally against Colombia, but Los Cafeteros went out of the tournament having just recorded their fourth successive clean sheet and the Swiss may find the Argentina defence more susceptible.
Argentina had no real right to get back into the contest against Egypt, who were left fuming at the decision to rule out a stunning goal that would have put them 2-0 up before they did score their second.
The African side crumbled late on but they showed at times that Switzerland should not be fearful of having a go at the favourites.
Switzerland have gone as far in this tournament as they have in any World Cup, reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since they were hosts in 1954.
While this may well be the end of the road for them again, both teams have scored in seven of their last 10 matches and they can make Argentina work hard for a semi-final place.
The teams have met only four times previously and the Swiss are yet to win, although two of the meetings were draws after 90 minutes, including a round-of-16 clash at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, when Argentina won 1-0 with a goal deep into extra-time.
The Swiss kept Messi at bay on that occasion but he had scored a hat-trick against them in a 3-1 friendly win in 2012 and remains his team's main threat as they continue their quest to lift the trophy for a fourth time.
No other Argentina player has scored more than once in this tournament, but with 14 goals on the board now, they have the firepower to progress again.
Argentina vs Switzerland Team news
Switzerland are likely to again be without their young star Johan Manzambi, who missed the win over Colombia with an injury sustained in training the day before the game. Hopes that he could return for the quarter-final are fading.
Ruben Vargas had been a doubt for that match but was able to play the extra-time period and score the winning penalty and he could return to the starting line-up.
Dennis Zakaria and Silvan Widmer are contesting the right-back role but Zakaria could return to midfield if he loses his spot as a makeshift defender.
Argentina remain in largely good health and Facundo Medina was able to make a substitute appearance against Egypt after going off with a knock in the previous match against Cape Verde. Julian Alvarez may again get the nod up front after being preferred to Lautaro Martinez against Egypt,
The squad will be assessed, though, and some freshening up may be required after they came through two successive draining contests. including going to extra-time in their round-of-32 match.
Predicted Team Line-Ups
Argentina (4-1-3-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolas Tagliafico; Leandro Paredes; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez; Lionel Messi, Julian Alvarez.
Switzerland (4‑2‑3‑1): Gregor Kobel; Silvan Widmer, Nico Elvedi, Manuel Akanji, Ricardo Rodriguez; Granit Xhaka, Remo Freuler; Dennis Zakaria, Fabian Rieder, Ruben Vargas; Breel Embolo.
Argentina vs Switzerland Stats
Both teams have scored in seven of Switzerland's last 10 games
Lionel Messi has scored in nine successive World Cup matches for Argentina
Five of Messi's eight goals have been scored in the second half
Switzerland are yet to trail at half-time in this tournament
Two of Argentina's last three games have had over 3.5 goals
No Argentina player other than Messi has scored more than one goal in the tournament
The latest Argentina vs Switzerland odds are available on LiveScore Bet
