Kansas City hosts Argentina and Switzerland in World Cup quarter-final
Argentina and Switzerland are facing each other in the World Cup quarter-finals in Kansas City. The match will determine which team advances to play England in the semi-finals, following England’s 2-1 victory over Norway.
The kick-off at the Kansas City Stadium is scheduled for 02:00 BST. The winner of this quarter-final will proceed to face England in Atlanta on Wednesday.
Team news and formations
Argentina’s starting lineup remains unchanged from their previous win against Egypt. This means Facundo Medina is once again among the substitutes, with Nicolás Tagliafico retaining his position at full-back. Lautaro Martinez also starts on the bench despite a positive performance in the Round of 16.
Lionel Scaloni manages Argentina, which is playing in a 4-1-3-2 formation. The starting XI includes E. Martinez, Molina, Romero, Li. Martinez, Tagliafico, Paredes, De Paul, Mac Allister, Fernandez, Messi, and Alvarez. Substitutes for Argentina are Almada, Barco, Gonzalez, Lo Celso, Lopez, La. Martinez, Medina, Montiel, Musso, Otamendi, Palacios, Paz, Rulli, Senesi, and Simeone.
Switzerland, managed by Murat Yakin, has made one change to their team from the penalty shootout victory over Colombia. Djibril Sow replaces Ardon Jashari in the starting lineup. Johan Manzambi is unavailable due to injury.
Switzerland’s formation is 4-2-3-1, with a starting lineup of Kobel, Zakaria, Elvedi, Akanji, Rodriguez, Freuler, Xhaka, Rieder, Sow, Ndoye, and Embolo. Their substitutes include Aebischer, Amdouni, Amenda, Comert, Fassnacht, Itten, Jaquez, Jashari, Keller, Muheim, Mvogo, Okafor, Vargas, and Widmer.
The match officials for the quarter-final are João Pedro Silva Pinheiro as referee, Guillermo Pacheco Larios as Video Assistant Referee, Bruno Miguel Alves Jesus and Luciano António Gomes da Maia as Assistant Referees, and Drew Fischer as Fourth Official. Juan Lara is the Assistant VAR Official.
Match context and early moments
The atmosphere in Kansas City is notable, with many Argentina jerseys visible among the crowd. The match began with a moment of silence in tribute to South Africa player Jayden Adams, who passed away at the age of 25. This tribute was observed impeccably.
Early in the match, Nahuel Molina of Argentina demonstrated good defending, tackling Dan Ndoye and causing the ball to go out for a goal kick. The conditions for the game are challenging, with a temperature of 88F and a heat index of 90, alongside 55% humidity.
Lionel Messi is leading Argentina’s defense of their World Cup title. The team’s assistant coach, Roberto Ayala, commented that they are facing an organized team with individual talent, and Argentina aims to disrupt their play with their own style.
Switzerland has several players at risk of suspension if they receive a yellow card, including Denis Zakaria and captain Granit Xhaka. Argentina has one player at risk, Gonzalo Montiel, who is a substitute for this match. The yellow card amnesty for the tournament occurs after the quarter-finals.
The match is being played in a stadium with a clear Missouri blue sky overhead, though a haze from pre-kick-off fireworks was noted. Switzerland is playing in an all-red kit, while Argentina is in their traditional colours.
Argentina’s all-time leading scorer at the World Cup before Messi surpassed him, Gabriel Batistuta, expressed his initial doubts about Messi’s form heading into the tournament, citing his age and playing in a less competitive league. However, Batistuta acknowledged Messi’s strong performances in the current World Cup, noting the higher quality of his goals compared to the 2022 tournament.
The Argentinian Football Association requested and received approval from FIFA for the team to wear black armbands in tribute to Antonio Rattin, a legendary midfielder for Boca Juniors and Argentina, who passed away earlier today at the age of 89. Rattin represented Argentina in two World Cups.
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Source: bbc.com