That will change on Thursday [1am, Bangladesh Time] when Argentina meet the European side in a World Cup semifinal in Atlanta, a heavyweight clash that Argentina's FA (AFA) described on its website as "the match fate owed Messi."

France vs Spain, 1am, Wednesday [Bangladesh Time] Argentina vs England, 1am, Thursday [Bangladesh Time]

Argentina have been far from convincing at this World Cup. Yet every time they have been pushed to the brink, they have found a way through.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni insisted there is nothing more than football at stake when his team faces England in Wednesday's World Cup semi-final, despite a rivalry steeped in decades of sporting drama and political tension.

A World Cup quarterfinal, locked at 1-1. Against a resilient Switzerland in Kansas City yesterday, Argentina were desperately searching for a moment of inspiration -- perhaps from captain Lionel Messi, the man who has repeatedly rescued La Albiceleste on the biggest stage.

Lionel Messi was involved in a heated exchange with Portuguese referee Joao Pedro Pinheiro during Argentina's 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinal on Sunday.

The Argentina-Switzerland quarterfinal had everything: an early goal, an equaliser, a heated exchange with the referee, a yellow card overturned, a red card, extra time and more goals. In the end, defending champions Argentina prevailed to keep their title defence alive.

The 39-year-old has remained inspirational, scoring in every match and extending his World Cup tally to a record 21 goals despite admitting fatigue after successive demanding contests.

Swiss coach suggested the best way to limit Messi's influence was to deny him possession altogether.

On July 11, 2021, Argentina ended a 28-year wait for a major international trophy by defeating Brazil 1-0 in the Copa America final at the Maracana Stadium.

Lionel Messi's Argentina will face Switzerland in a World Cup quarterfinal in Kansas City on Sunday morning, with the game scheduled to kick off at 7:00 am in Bangladesh time.

When an athlete reaches the age of 39, romance alone does not assure a World Cup pedigree. As much as football fans love the narrative of a seasoned veteran willing his team to glory purely on heart and nostalgia, the reality of the 2026 tournament in North America is far more clinical.

Messi has been instrumental in Argentina's World Cup campaign, scoring eight goals — level with France's Kylian Mbappe — and inspiring a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the round of 16.

Argentina and Lionel Messi face Murat Yakin's Switzerland in what promises to be a sterner test for the defending champions than any they have encountered so far in the tournament.

The Spanish wunderkid believes his best performances come when the stakes are highest.

Will nostalgic romance continue and another 39-year-old GOAT defy time?

Despite facing tougher tests than expected while navigating a rather easier route compared to others during their World Cup campaign, including a hard-fought qualification against Egypt, Argentina have retained one of the defining traits of Lionel Scaloni's tenure -- control through possession.

FIFA refereeing chief Pierluigi Collina defended the officiating in Argentina's 3-2 victory over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16, dismissing allegations of bias and saying match officials operated with complete independence.

Argentina returned to the training ground on Thursday with renewed confidence after their dramatic comeback victory over Egypt in the Round of 16, as Lionel Scaloni's side shifted focus to Sunday's FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Switzerland [7am, Bangladesh Time].

For Argentina, it is becoming inevitable. Messi happened when the World Cup dream was on the brink of ending for the defending champions.