Unbeaten streak on the line
Defending champions Argentina will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Saturday in Missouri, USA. The South American side carries an unbeaten record against the European nation into the knockout clash, having never lost to Switzerland in nearly six decades of meetings.
According to historical data, the two teams have met seven times previously, with Argentina winning five matches and drawing the other two. La Albiceleste have scored 15 goals while conceding just three in those encounters.
First World Cup meeting in 1966
Their first World Cup encounter came during the 1966 edition in England, when Argentina secured a 2-0 victory in the group stage through goals from Luis Artime and Ermindo Onega. That match set the tone for a rivalry that has remained one-sided ever since.
Argentina continued to dominate the fixture in subsequent friendlies, including a 5-0 victory in Cordoba in 1980 and a 2-0 win in Bern four years later. The remaining two friendlies ended in 1-1 draws, in 1990 and 2007, with Abel Balbo and Carlos Tevez scoring for Argentina respectively.
Messi hat-trick in 2012 friendly
One of the most memorable meetings between the sides came in a friendly in Bern in 2012, when Lionel Messi netted the first hat-trick of his international career in Argentina's 3-1 win over Switzerland. That performance highlighted the individual brilliance that has often made the difference in this fixture.
2014 World Cup round of 16 thriller
The teams' most iconic World Cup clash came in the Round of 16 at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. After a tightly contested match, Argentina broke the deadlock in the 117th minute of extra time as Messi set up Angel Di Maria, who scored the winner to send his side into the quarterfinals.
Switzerland came agonisingly close to forcing a penalty shootout in the closing moments, but Blerim Dzemaili's header struck the post before the rebound deflected off his knee and went wide.
Looking ahead to the quarterfinal
As the teams prepare to meet again on the World Cup stage, Argentina will aim to extend their unbeaten run against Switzerland and book a place in the semifinals as they continue their bid to defend the FIFA World Cup title. The match promises to be a test of Switzerland's resolve against a historically dominant opponent.
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