Who Will Take Penalty for Argentina vs Switzerland After Lionel Messi's Miss?

Argentina head into their FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinal against Switzerland with an unexpected talking point: who will take the next Argentina penalty after Lionel Messi's latest miss from the spot? Messi saw his first-half penalty saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in Argentina's dramatic 3-2 Round of 16 comeback victory. The miss marked his second penalty failure of the tournament, making him the first player to miss two penalties in a single FIFA World Cup.

Despite that unwanted record, there has been no official confirmation from head coach Lionel Scaloni that Argentina will change their designated penalty taker for the clash against Switzerland. Messi recovered brilliantly from the setback by scoring the equalizer and inspiring Argentina's comeback, underlining why he remains the team's leader on the pitch.

Who Could Take the Penalty for Argentina Against Switzerland?

For now, Lionel Messi is still expected to take any Argentina penalty against Switzerland unless Scaloni decides otherwise. While the veteran has struggled from the spot in this World Cup, he remains Argentina's first-choice penalty taker and one of the most experienced players in pressure situations.

However, if Argentina opt for a change, midfielder Alexis Mac Allister is among the strongest candidates. The Liverpool star is a reliable penalty taker at club level and has been mentioned by pundits as a viable alternative following Messi's recent misses. Other experienced options include Lautaro Martinez, who has taken penalties for Inter Milan and Argentina, while Julian Alvarez and Enzo Fernandez have also shown composure from the spot during their club careers.

Ultimately, the decision rests with Scaloni and his coaching staff. Given Messi's status, leadership and ability to respond after adversity, it would not be surprising if he retained penalty duties despite the recent misses. Argentina will hope the penalty for Argentina against Switzerland does not become a decisive talking point. If the defending champions are awarded a spot kick, all eyes will be on whether Messi steps up once again or if Scaloni hands the responsibility to another player.