Messi-mania to lull Switzerland as USA steal the show

Tonight we close Chapter Two of the World Cup after determining the last eight sides. My inkling is that Argentina and USA will snap up the last two slots. Argentina will be without Sergio Aguero, whose indifferent form has seen Argentina miss chance after chance. Perhaps with him out, the team will rediscover its attacking prowess and not rely on that one magician—Messi. The problem for Switzerland is that they are fielding former Arsenal calamitous defender Phillipe Senderos. Fans on social media have branded the defender ‘Send-a-loss’ from coinage around his name. This was after the game against France in which the Swiss defence was such a freeway for Benzema and company. Can ‘Send-a-loss’ and his partner Johan Djourou stop Messi? Well, the irony of the game is that ‘fake’ players are the best weapons against world class stars such as Messi. That is why Iran with their outsiders proved a thorn for Argentina. Can Switzerland do the same? That is a hard call. This looks like a one-way traffic tonight. Perhaps it will be the most convincing victory of the round of 16 (assuming Germany did not do this to Algeria yesterday). I go for Argentina handicap. The final game of the second round will see Belgium taking on USA for a chance to meet Argentina (I am convinced so). Belgium, like Brazil, have flirted to convince. They are simply not good enough and the counter-attacking and fast-paced USA will be a serious threat to the Europeans tonight. There is a lot on the script that Belgium will come up short in what is most important within 90 minutes—goals. USA have the edge if they play with counter attacking verve and dare to dream. I go with Jurgen Klinsmann’s stooges.

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Messi-mania to lull Switzerland as USA steal the show