WORLD CUP LIVE: Argentina vs Switzerland... Magic Messi back in action in bid to propel his team into the quarter-finals

WORLD CUP LIVE: Argentina vs Switzerland... Magic Messi back in action in bid to propel his team into the quarter-finals

Argentina
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the World Cup as Argentina continue their pursuit of a third title when they take on Switzerland in Sao Paulo. Led by an inspired Lionel Messi, Argentina won all three of their group matches to progress as Group G winners and are favourites to reach the quarter-finals.

Argentina 0-0 Switzerland World Cup 2014 LIVE: Lionel Messi, Angel di Maria and co seek progress into the quarter finals

  • Argentina looking to book quarter-final spot with fourth straight win
  • Lionel Messi star for South Americans, scoring four goals in group stage
  • Switzerland hoping to upset one of the pre-tournament favourites

Argentina 0-0 Switzerland (5pm)

Click here for Sportsmail's brilliant World Cup Match Zone
Argentina: Romero, Federico Fernandez, Zabaleta, Garay, Rojo, Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria, Higuain, Messi, Lavezzi.
Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Biglia, Perez, Maxi Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Demichelis, Palacio, Alvarez, Aguero, Andujar, Basanta.

Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Schar, Djourou, Rodriguez, Inler, Behrami, Xhaka, Shaqiri, Mehmedi, Drmic.
Subs: Sommer, Ziegler, Senderos, von Bergen, Lang, Barnetta, Seferovic, Stocker, Dzemaili, Fernandes, Gavranovic, Burki.

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)
 
  • Dan Ripley Host commentator
17:31
31min: Whisper it quietly, this game is finally kicking into gear. Ezequiel Lavezzi's low shot from 10 yards lacks power as Benaglio gathers easily at the near post, while Angel Di Maria's corner moment later flies across goal and out for a goal kick with Ezequiel Garay narrowly missing out on connecting with a header.
Helping hand: Argentina's midfielder Angel Di Maria is helped up by Switzerland's forward Admir Mehmedi
17:29
28min: Oh good, something's happened! Switzerland force a first shot on target, and it's a decent one too. Argentina are caught napping from a short corner and from it Granit Xhaka sees a low shot blocked clear by Sergio Romero from inside the box.
17:26
25min: The referee has been very liberal so far, with persistent fouls being consistently let off on a regular basis. Admir Mehmedi is the latest to escape a booking for breaking up an Argentina attack illegally.
Sitting comfortably: FIFA president Sepp Blatter (right) looks on from inside the Sao Paulo Arena
17:25
22min: I promise you, this game has kicked off. We are halfway through the first half and I can't remember a single shot on target. It's been very much like a game from the South Africa World Cup so far - and we can't even blame the Jabulani on this one.
17:21
19min: We've not seen much of Messi but a brilliant piece of skill takes him past two Switzerland defenders on the wing before Ricardo Rodriguez recovers well to steal the ball back as the forward advanced on goal.
Both players shook hands after taking a tumble to ground following the tackle - good to see.
17:17
16min: Ah what a waste. Gonzalo Higuain releases Pablo Zabaleta down the right for the first time, but the Argentina full-back's cross towards Messi at the back post is gobbled up by Switzerland keeper Diego Benaglio.
Reach out: Switzerland's Admir Mehmedi attempts to get past Argentina's Javier Mascherano
17:15
14min: No wonder Federer is laying down to watch this, I'm thinking of grabbing a few minutes of sleep myself judging by the first few minutes. It's been a slow and quiet old start which given the attacking nature of this competition is a shock to the system.
17:13
From Swiss tennis maestro Roger Federer on Twitter
17:10
8min: Argentina haven't looked great in defence at this World Cup, and it gives Switzerland some encouragement.
After winning a corner, Gokhan Inler is given plenty of time room and probably hospitality if it was requested to line up a 25 yard shot, but he still drills well over the crossbar following the set-piece being taken short.
Fighting through: Lionel Messi of Argentina (front) and Admir Mehmedi of Switzerland tussle for the ball
17:07
5min: Switzerland were ripped apart 5-2 by France in the group stage and they have sat back at the start of this match in a bid to block out some of those defensive holes.
They are on the edge though, with Stephan Lichtsteiner lucky not to pick up a yellow card after pulling back on Angel Di Maria.
17:03
2min: It takes 90 seconds to confirm how nervous Johan Djourou is. The Arsenal defender is up against Lionel Messi today and his first touch is to poorly control the ball which bounces straight to the Barcelona forward. Not a confident start.
Battle of the maestros: Lionel Messi of Argentina (centre) shakes hands with Granit Xhaka of Switzerland before the game
17:00
Remember to get the most out of our live coverage by following with our excellent Match Zone.
It features the latest line-ups, formations and a handy player comparison tool.
In addition there are heat zones for every player as well as detailed maps of all the goals as they go in. Click on the above link for more.
16:56
Out come the teams in a Sao Paulo stadium full of Argentina fans
Well, the majority of the fans are Argentine, but there are dots of red and specks of yellow to show there are Switzerland and Brazil supporters also in attendance.
Argentina won their group and are looking to make it seven out of seven in terms of group winners progressing to the quarter-finals.
High ranking: Argentinian fans hold photographs of Lionel Messi, Pope Francis and Diego Maradona before the start of the game
16:52
No escaping the sunshine in Sao Paulo
It's a glorious sunny afternoon in Sao Paulo as the teams finish their warm up - conditions that you feel will favour Argentina.
Under the sun: Switzerland players warm up inside the Sao Paulo Arena In support: Switzerland fans enjoy the atmosphere inside the ground
16:48
...and here were some of your responses
16:47
We asked you on SportsYapper...
16:43
PLAYER WATCH: Xherdan Shaqiri (Switzerland)
There is no doubt who Switzerland will turn to in an attempt inspire them to a shock victory today.
Xherdan Shaqiri had emerged as a target for Liverpool in recent times and you can see why after he netted a marvellous hat-trick in his side's 3-0 win over Honduras.
It set up a last 16 clash with Argentina, but the South Americans will have to keep track of the Bayern Munich star who likes to roam all over the pitch. Here's his heat map from the Honduras win.
Click here for more maps and stats with our excellent Match Zone
Hanging on: The shirt worn by Xherdan Shaqiri of Switzerland hangs in the dressing room in Sao Paulo
16:37
From OptaJoe and OptaJose
16:24
Full line-ups from Sao Paulo
Argentina: Romero, Federico Fernandez, Zabaleta, Garay, Rojo, Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria, Higuain, Messi, Lavezzi.
Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Biglia, Perez, Maxi Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Demichelis, Palacio, Alvarez, Aguero, Andujar, Basanta.
Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Schar, Djourou, Rodriguez, Inler, Behrami, Xhaka,  Shaqiri, Mehmedi, Drmic.
Subs: Sommer, Ziegler, Senderos, von Bergen, Lang, Barnetta, Seferovic, Stocker, Dzemaili, Fernandes, Gavranovic, Burki.
Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)
Getting big headed: Argentina fans gather outside the Sao Paulo Arena
16:20
From OptaJoe
16:19
BLAST FROM THE PAST: Argentina 2-0 Switzerland (1966)
Can't wait for the match to kick-off? Then here's a pre-match teaser from yesteryear to whet your appetite.
It comes from a World Cup group stage match between the teams in 1966 where the South Americans won 2-0 at Hillsborough to set up a quarter-final with England.
England would win the bad-tempered clash 1-0 but it always slips my mind what the Three Lions went on to do in that particular World Cup...
16:12
Will Lionel Messi be at the double to shoot down Switzerland?
Lionel Messi has scored in all three of Argentina's World Cup games so far, including a double against Nigeria last time out which included a rather spectacular free-kick.
It appears no one can stop the Barcelona forward at this tournament and Coral are offering odds of 7/2 that Messi will score two or more goals this afternoon inside 90 minutes. Click here for on that offer and other potential bets.
Bag of tricks: A kit bag is seen in the Argentina dressing room prior to their last 16 clash with Switzerland in Sao Paulo
16:04
Team news from Sao Paulo
Sticking to a winning formula appears to be the key for both these teams. Switzerland are unchanged from the side which hammered Honduras 3-0, with all eyes on Xherdan Shaqiri who scored a hat-trick in the Group E clash.
Argentina make on enforced change as Ezequiel Lavezzi comes in for Sergio Aguero, who was forced off injured during the 3-2 win over Nigeria last time out.
Skipper: The shirt worn by Lionel Messi of Argentina hangs in the Sao Paulo dressing room
15:59
Argentina starting XI
Romero, Garay, Zabaleta, Gago, Di Maria, Higuain, Messi, Mascherano, Rojo, Fernandez, Lavezzi.
15:58
Switzerland starting XI
Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Inler, Xhaka, Behrami, Rodriguez, Mehmedi, Drmic, Djourou, Schar, Shaqiri.
15:56
In a nutshell, the last 16 has produced six of the best so far...
It's the World Cup that keeps on giving, and the last 16 has thrown up some absolute corkers.
Despite having 0-0 draws after 90 minutes and less glamour ties such as Greece vs Costa Rica - there hasn't been one dull encounter and I'm sure it will continue heading into the final two matches judging by our line-up.
First it's Argentina, led by an on-form Lionel Messi, who take on Switzerland. Can the Barcelona maestro take the South Americans on to the quarter-finals? Team news coming next.
Protection: Shin pads worn by Lionel Messi of Argentina are seen in the Sao Paulo dressing room
Follow Sportsmail's coverage of the World Cup as Argentina continue their pursuit of a third title when they take on Switzerland in Sao Paulo.
Led by an inspired Lionel Messi, Argentina won all three of their group matches to progress as Group F winners and are favourites to reach the quarter-finals.
Standing in their way are a Switzerland side who finished runners-up behind France in Group E, and will be confident of testing an Argentina team who have been put under pressure in all three of the Brazil 2014 games so far.
 

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