'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
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.
Argentina midfielder Javier Mascherano said his team would be keeping a close eye on him.
We are the clear outsiders, but we have nothing to lose and much to gain. We can make history on Tuesday
"The [Swiss] are an orderly team who like to play good football and have top players," he told Argentina's TyC Sports television station. "Shaqiri and [forward Haris] Seferovic are in good form and we're going to have to be very careful."
Switzerland coach Ottmar Hitzfeld believes that by remaining organised his team could make their first quarter-final appearance since they hosted the finals 60 years ago. The Swiss have never beaten Argentina, drawing two and losing four.
"We are the clear outsiders, but we have nothing to lose and much to gain," he said.
"We can make history on Tuesday. In one game, anything is possible," added the German coach, who will step down after the World Cup.