Argentina vs. Switzerland player ratings: Live grades for Lionel Messi, others in 2026 World Cup quarterfinal originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Lionel Messi and defending champions Argentina hope to continue their push deep into the 2026 FIFA World Cup as they meet European side Switzerland in the quarterfinals from Kansas City on Saturday.
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Having triumphed four years ago in Qatar for the first time in his career, Messi now hopes to lead the Albiceleste to another title, which would make Argentina the first side since Brazil in 1962 to win consecutive World Cup crowns. Messi leads all goal scorers at this tournament with eight, level with Kylian Mbappe of France, having taken over the all-time career World Cup goal scoring record earlier in the competition.
Switzerland, meanwhile, have reached the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 when they did so on home soil. They have never reached the semifinals of a World Cup in national team history.
The Sporting News brings you a full list of player ratings for the match, analyzing both team’s individual performances from the opening kickoff to the final whistle.
LIVE:Follow Argentina vs. Switzerland updates from 2026 World Cup quarterfinal
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Location: Arrowhead Stadium (Kansas City, MO)
Referee: Joao Pinheiro (POR)
Argentina starting lineup:
4-4-2 diamond, right to left: 23. E. Martinez (GK) — 26. Molina, 13. Romero, 6. Li. Martinez, 3. Tagliafico — 5. Paredes — 7. De Paul, 20. Mac Allister — 24. E. Fernandez — 10. Messi, 9. Alvarez.
Switzerland starting lineup:
4-4-2, right to left: 1. Kobel (GK) — 6. Zakaria, 4. Elvedi, 5. Akanji, 13. R. Rodriguez — 8. Freuler, 10. Xhaka, 15. Sow — 22. Rieder, 7. Embolo, 11. Ndoye.
All ratings are on a 10-point scale.
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Goalkeeper: Emi Martinez — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Right-back: Nahuel Molina — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Right Center-back: Cristian Romero — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Left center-back: Lisandro Martinez — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Left-back: Nicolas Tagliafico — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
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Defensive midfielder: Leandro Paredes — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Central midfielder: Rodrigo De Paul — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Central midfielder: Alexis Mac Allister — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Attacking midfielder: Enzo Fernandez — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
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Right forward: Lionel Messi — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Left forward: Julian Alvarez — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
This section will be updated later in the match when substitutes enter off the bench and look to make an impact.
Lionel Scaloni: Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis and commentary after the match has concluded and a proper assessment of the head coach’s tactics and substitutions can be made.
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Goalkeeper: Gregor Kobel — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Right-back: Denis Zakaria — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Right center-back: Nico Elvedi — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Left center-back: Manuel Akanji — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
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Left-back: Ricardo Rodriguez — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Right midfielder: Rimo Freuler — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Central midfielder: Granit Xhaka — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Left midfielder: Djibril Sow — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Right wing: Fabian Rieder — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
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Center forward: Breel Embolo — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
Left wing: Daniel Ndoye — Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis, commentary, and highlights as the match progresses.
This section will be updated later in the match when substitutes enter off the bench and look to make an impact.
Murat Yakin: Grade pending
This section will be updated with analysis and commentary after the match has concluded and a proper assessment of the head coach’s tactics and substitutions can be made.
