Argentina vs Switzerland: Date, Time, Live Stream, TV and 2014 World Cup Preview
Tuesday's World Cup offering sees the final round-of-16 clashes take place as tournament joint-second-favourites Argentina face European opposition in Switzerland.
Expectations of Lionel Messi and company are high with a possible last-eight match against Belgium or the USA awaiting them.
But Switzerland showed in their last game they can perform in the heat of Brazil and will not be weak opponents.
Here is how you can watch the exciting knockout fixture.
When: Tuesday, July 1, at 5 p.m. BST (12 p.m. ET)
Where: Sao Paulo, Brazil
TV: BBC HD (UK only); ESPN (U.S. only)
Live Stream: BBC iPlayer (UK only); ESPN Player (U.S. only)
Lionel Messi Finally Showing at a World Cup
It would be a mistake to say that Messi needs to win a World Cup to prove he is the greatest player of all time, but there is little doubting that international failure would be a stain on his illustrious career.
Over the years Messi has earned a reputation for not being as good for Argentina as he is for Barcelona, and in some ways this is slightly unfair. Argentina have underperformed as a team, and the onus should not only be on Messi's exploits alone.
But it is true that if the South American side prevail in Brazil Messi will almost definitely be the conductor of the orchestra as it belts out a beautiful symphony.
The player has got off to a great start in the group stages with his country achieving maximum points and Messi scoring four times, per WhoScored.com.
And with Argentina now having two very winnable knockout fixtures potentially, Messi is surely on course for the Golden Boot.
Ex-Chelsea and Tottenham player Micky Hazard has said he now thinks that Messi and his team will win the tournament:
Switzerland are one of Europe's less-fancied teams but will offer stiff opposition for their illustrious opponents.
With games now being decided by extra time and penalties, the lottery element of tournament football has kicked in and gives the Swiss a chance to park the bus and still qualify.
But with Messi in his current form, this looks unlikely. If Argentina's other world-class stars can match Messi's contributions, this could be an emphatic victory for their team.
Xherdan Shaqiri to Stun Argentina?
This has been the World Cup where anything can happen and where players from outside of the most watched echelons can shine brightly.
After a disappointing time at Bayern Munich, Xherdan Shaqiri found his shooting boots for Switzerland in their final group match, scoring a brilliant hat-trick against Honduras to seal his country's progression to the round of 16.
Shaqiri is a magical talent with his low centre of gravity and an acute attacking prowess. Next season will surely see him at pastures new as he looks to relaunch his club career.
The player is "Switzerland's Messi" when comparing the influence he has to the Barcelona wizard, and if a shock is to happen on Tuesday afternoon it is likely that it will be Shaqiri who lights the fuse.
Shaqiri has the talent to unlock the Argentine defensive door, and there is a slight chance that the South Americans may freeze in a match they are expected to walk through.
It would be the biggest scalp of the World Cup so far, but in a tournament as electrifying as this, it should not be a total surprise.
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