The Messi and Scaloni mascot heralds Argentina’s team against Switzerland

The Argentine national team is preparing to meet Switzerland in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup at dawn next Sunday.

The reigning champions advanced to the quarter-finals after a thrilling 3-2 win over Egypt, while Switzerland advanced on penalties against Colombia.

“I mentioned”AS newspaper“Senior Lionel Messi and his coach Lionel Scaloni form an almost unbeatable pair. Since their career has been intertwined with the tango, they have suffered only one defeat in the World Cup and the Copa América.

This defeat dates back to July 2, 2019, when Argentina lost 2-0 to Brazil in the semi-finals of the Copa America.

Since then, the Argentine national team has won 12 consecutive victories in the knockout stages of the World Cup and the Copa America.

Argentina’s strength in the knockout stages rests on another remarkable number, as it has not lost a game decided on penalties since June 26, 2016, when it lost the Copa América final to Chile under coach Tata Martino.

That match ended in a goalless draw before Chile won 4-2 on penalties after Messi and Lucas Villa both missed Argentina’s goal.

4 of Argentina’s 12 victories under Scaloni in the qualifying rounds were on penalties, most notably the win over France in the 2022 World Cup final.

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