India, July 11 -- Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni backed his talisman, Lionel Messi, to continue taking penalty kicks, despite his recent struggles from the spot at the ongoing 2026 FIFA World Cup. The Argentina skipper has missed both of his penalties in this tournament, scoring only four of his last seven for Argentina, going back to the 2022 World Cup.

But Scaloni knows that the Inter Miami attacker can step up when needed and handle pressure in crucial situations.

"First of all, Leo will take penalties if he wants to," he said, ahead of their quarter-final match vs Switzerland.

Against Egypt, it was Messi's intelligence that saw Argentina make a miraculous comeback after trailing 0-2, as he drifted to the right wing. The South ...