Upstart Switzerland takes its shot at Argentina | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Argentina and Switzerland meet Saturday night in a World Cup quarterfinal framed as a major mismatch, but shaped by recent comebacks and penalty drama. Argentina, the defending champion, features Lautaro Martínez, Julián Álvarez and Lionel Messi, while Switzerland has never reached the semifinals and hasn’t been to the quarterfinals since 1954, when they lost to Austria. The context for optimism comes from Argentina’s earlier struggle and from its late response versus Egypt, after scoring to level in the 83rd minute and winning in stoppage time following a 2-0 deficit with 11 minutes left. Switzerland earned its spot by defeating Colombia on penalty kicks and now will play at Arrowhead Stadium. The winner advances on Wednesday in Atlanta against either Norway or England. Switzerland captain Granit Xhaka and defender Manuel Akanji are singled out for the task of stopping Messi, alongside Remo Freuler, Nico Elvedi and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.