'Never Stops Believing', Lionel Messi’s Heartfelt Tribute to Argentina After FIFA World Cup 2026 QF Win Over Switzerland
Lionel Messi praises Argentina's 'Never Stop Believing' attitude after the defending champions dramatically defeated Switzerland 2-1 in extra time during their FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarter-Final clash. The 39-year-old captain's late penalty and Enzo Fernández's extra-time winner secured their semi-final spot at AT&T Stadium, Arlington, on July 11, 2026.
Defending champions Argentina, led by their talismanic captain Lionel Messi, survived a monumental scare to book their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals, overcoming a tenacious Switzerland side 2-1 after extra time. Following the dramatic victory at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Friday, July 11, 2026, a visibly relieved Messi hailed his team's unwavering belief and fighting spirit. 'Suffering Is Our DNA', Argentina Coach Lionel Scaloni Reflects on Extra Time Win Over Switzerland in FIFA World Cup 2026 QF.
The Albiceleste found themselves trailing for much of the quarter-final clash, with a resilient Swiss outfit pushing them to their limits. It took a late penalty from Messi himself, in the 88th minute, to force the game into extra time, cancelling out Xherdan Shaqiri's first-half opener. The decisive blow came in the 105th minute when Enzo Fernández netted the winner, sending Argentina fans into delirium and keeping their dream of back-to-back World Cup titles alive.
"This team never stops believing, never gives up," a jubilant Messi, who turned 39 just weeks ago on June 24, told reporters after the match. "We knew it would be tough, Switzerland played incredibly well and made us fight for every single ball. But we showed our character, our resilience. This victory is a testament to the fighting spirit within this squad. We’re in the semi-finals, and we did it by believing until the very end."
Match Details & Key Moments
The quarter-final clash was a gripping affair, marked by tactical discipline from Switzerland and moments of individual brilliance from Argentina. Argentina, as the defending champions, were expected to dominate, but Switzerland showcased immense defensive organisation and threatened on the counter-attack. The match, which kicked off at 9:00 PM ET, saw Switzerland stun Argentina early on.
22nd Minute: Xherdan Shaqiri opens the scoring for Switzerland with a clinical finish.
88th Minute: Lionel Messi converts a crucial penalty, drawing Argentina level and sending the match to extra time.
105th Minute: Enzo Fernández scores the winning goal for Argentina, securing their semi-final berth.
Argentina now advance to the semi-finals, which, like all quarter-finals, semi-finals, and the final, are hosted in the United States. They await the winner of the next quarter-final tie as the tournament, expanded to 48 teams across 16 cities in the USA, Canada, and Mexico, continues its thrilling knockout stages. England vs Argentina Head-to-Head in World Cups Ahead of FIFA World Cup 2026 Semi-Final.
This hard-fought victory underscores Argentina's deep reserves of talent and mental fortitude, demonstrating that the defending champions are not willing to relinquish their crown without a fierce battle. Their journey to the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-finals has been anything but smooth, setting the stage for more captivating football as the tournament progresses.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 12, 2026 07:00 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
