World Cup Opta Stats: Argentina v Switzerland

All eyes will be on Lionel Messi when Argentina face Switzerland.

Can Lionel Messi continue to inspire Argentina when they face Switzerland? Opta reveals all.

This will be the seventh international meeting between Argentina and Switzerland. Argentina are unbeaten in their previous six (W4 D2). Argentina are 1.511/2 to win within 90 minutes.

The only previous World Cup meeting between these two sides came back in 1966, when Argentina defeated Switzerland 2-0. Argentina are 2.3611/8 to win half-time/full-time.

After failing to score in seven successive World Cup appearances, Lionel Messi has netted four goals in his three appearances at the 2014 finals. Messi is 1.75/7 to score.

Argentina have won their last three World Cup second round ties; winning on penalties versus England in 1998 and beating Mexico in both 2006 and 2010. They are 1.251/4 to qualify.

Argentina have won only 3 of their last 10 World Cup matches against a European team (D4, L3). You can lay Argentina to win within 90 minutes at 1.528/15.

The Swiss have kept a clean sheet in seven of their last 10 World Cup finals matches. They are 7.613/2 to keep a clean sheet. 

Switzerland have won just one of their previous six World Cup matches against South American nations (W1 D1 L4), but this victory came earlier in this tournament v Ecuador. The Swiss are 4.84/1 to qualify.

Xherdan Shaqiri scored a hat-trick in Switzerland's final group game against Honduras - the 50th hat-trick in World Cup history. Shaqiri is 4.03/1 to score.

Argentina have had an average possession figure of 65% so far at this tournament - the highest in this finals and their highest average at a World Cup finals since 1966. They are 5.49/2 to win the competition.

Four of Argentina's last seven World Cup goals have come from outside the box, including half of their six goals (3) at this tournament. Messi is 4.1n/a to score the first goal.