Can ageless Lionel Messi keep delivering for Argentina at World Cup?

KANSAS CITY – Lionel Messi has scored in every World Cup match so far, but after two gruelling knockout ties, will age finally catch up with the 39-year-old in the quarter-final against Switzerland?

Lionel Scaloni’s team sailed through the group stage but have been pushed to the limit by Cape Verde and Egypt.

They needed extra time to squeeze past the World Cup newcomers 3-2 in the last 32, before coming back from the dead against Mohamed Salah’s team to win by the same score.

The defending champions have won all five games, with Messi’s brilliance and an unshakeable team spirit central to their progress.

Messi made up for a missed penalty against Egypt with a wonderfully composed finish, as Argentina rallied from two goals down in the closing minutes.

He broke down in a rare show of emotion at the end of the pulsating 3-2 win in Atlanta, saying he was desperate for his World Cup journey to continue.

“It was a moment of pure happiness and relief,” said the Inter Miami forward. “We wanted to stay in the tournament. We didn’t want today to be the end, we didn’t want to go home.”

Messi admitted he was tired after playing 120 minutes against Cape Verde but he featured the whole game against Egypt and remains indispensable.

The July 11 quarter-final at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City will take him back to the scene of his hat-trick in Argentina’s first match of the tournament – a 3-0 win over Algeria.

He has continued his scoring run, taking his tally to eight – level with Golden Boot rival Kylian Mbappe.

And he has also become the leading scorer in World Cup history, with 21 goals across his career.

Aside from their diminutive genius, Argentina’s most potent weapon is their remarkable camaraderie.

The South Americans are now unbeaten in 11 World Cup games, as they seek to become the first country since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.

“Whatever happens from here on, this team gives me the feeling that it never stops believing, even when everything is going against it,” said Scaloni.

That sentiment is echoed by midfielder Enzo Fernandez, who said the side “never give up no matter the difficulties and adversity”.

There have even been dark suggestions that Argentina – trailed everywhere by legions of fans – have been treated favourably at the World Cup.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan speculated that the officiating team for their last-16 game may have been subjected to “external pressure” to favour Argentina, a suggestion quashed by FIFA referees chief Pierluigi Collina.

The South Americans face a tough test against an industrious and well-drilled Switzerland team in Kansas City.

The Swiss, led by their influential captain Granit Xhaka, are one win away from reaching their first-ever World Cup semi-finals.

Murat Yakin’s men eased past Algeria 2-0 in the round of 32 before holding their nerves to beat a strong Colombia team on penalties.

Attacking midfielder Johan Manzambi was outstanding during the group stage, adding thrust to a team of experienced campaigners and scoring three times.

But Manzambi, 20, missed the match against Colombia with an injury and is a doubt for the Argentina match.

Xhaka, 33, said Switzerland had waited a long time to find such a potent mix of experience and youth.

“I think this generation we have now is a special one,” the Sunderland midfielder said.

“Of course, we try to pass on our experience, but above all, the mentality that, even as a small nation, anything is possible at this level, in elite football.

“From the coaching staff to the last player, we can all be proud of what we’ve achieved.”

The winners of the match in Kansas City will face either Norway or England, who clash in Miami also on July 11. AFP