Messi and Argentina play upstart Switzerland in World Cup quarter-finals at Kansas City Stadium

Messi and Argentina set up a World Cup quarterfinal against Switzerland on Saturday at Kansas City’s venue, with the match scheduled for 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT. Argentina, the defending champions, features stars including Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez and Lionel Messi. Switzerland arrives after beating Colombia on penalty kicks and will hope to end a long wait for a quarterfinal appearance, last reached in 1954. The winner will face either Norway or England on Wednesday in Atlanta for a place in the final. Switzerland’s captain Granit Xhaka said the team will focus on what it can do on the pitch, while defenders including Manuel Akanji will be key in limiting Messi. Argentina is riding an 11-match World Cup unbeaten run since 2022 and scored in each game during that stretch. Messi, 39, has 21 World Cup goals and could add to his eight-goal tie with Kylian Mbappé in Golden Boot race.