Argentina, Lionel Messi Have Had Easiest World Cup Path Ever — Literally
Summary
Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, has reached the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA Men's World Cup. While Messi’s skill has been key, Argentina’s opponents in the tournament have been, on average, lower-ranked than usual, making their path easier historically.Key Facts
- Lionel Messi previously said he was done playing for Argentina in 2016.
- Since then, Messi has scored 16 World Cup goals and won one World Cup title.
- Argentina’s opponents before the semifinals had an average FIFA ranking of 38, the highest average for any team reaching a World Cup semifinal in history.
- The teams Argentina faced include Algeria (28th), Austria (24th), Jordan (63rd), Cape Verde (67th), Egypt (29th), and Switzerland (19th).
- Argentina narrowly beat Cape Verde in extra time and made a strong comeback against Egypt after being down 2-0.
- Argentina will play Switzerland in the quarterfinal in Kansas City on July 11.
- Argentina’s group-stage matches were easier compared to the tougher knockout-stage games they encountered.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.
