By RYAN TOLMICH
After making it through the group stage unscathed despite three one-goal victories, Argentina faces its toughest test thus far in Tuesday’s penultimate Round of 16 matchup.
La Albiceleste are now tasked with taking on fellow seeded side Switzerland with a spot in the tournament’s quarterfinal stage on the line.
Argentina enters the knockout stages largely due to the contributions of Lionel Messi, who finished tied for the lead in group stage goals with four. However, La Albiceleste will need to put together a more complete performance than those displayed in the group stage if they hope to make their third straight appearance in the quarterfinal round.
Their opposition, Switzerland, is making its second knockout stage appearance in the past three tournaments and the sixth in team history. After suffering through a 5-2 drubbing at the hands of eventual group winners France, the Swiss rebounded by way of a Xherdan Shaqiri hat trick in a 3-0 victory over Honduras that secured the team’s advancement.
If you will be watching today’s matches, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.