Source:
https://scmp.com/sport/soccer/article/1543751/alpine-messi-gunning-upset-argentine-applecart
Sport/ Football

'Alpine Messi' gunning to upset Argentine applecart

Europeans are seeking to take advantage of chinks in South American giants' armour, with their hat-trick hero Xherdan Shaqiri on blistering form

Xherdan Shaqiri, who will be pivotal to Swizterland's hopes of writing history, has three-time Ballon D'Or winner Lionel Messi as his opposite number.Photo: SCMP Pictures

Switzerland's "Alpine Messi", Xherdan Shaqiri - hot from a hat-trick against Honduras in his last game - meets the real Messi today as the Europeans seek a major upset against Argentina in the last 16.

Shaqiri is the same height as Lionel Messi and has a similarly low centre of gravity. And, while he has some way to go to match the feats of the prolific Argentina forward, the 22-year-old gives the Swiss a genuine threat up front.