Former England captain Alan Shearer
MOTD analyst

"Xherdan Shaqiri is predominantly left footed. Playing in the No 10 role, he finds the pockets of space. He is short, stocky, quick, gets into good positions. He should cause Argentina problems and will try to get at their defence."

You can watch by clicking on the 'Live Coverage' tab at the top of the page.

Former Scotland defender Alan Hansen
MOTD analyst

"If Switzerland play like they did against France, when they were so open, then Lionel Messi could have a field day."

Former England defender Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Reuters

"This is the first game I have seen at this World Cup where blue and white outnumbers yellow. Every game has been so well attended by the Brazilian public, but at this one there is a clear Argentine majority.

"There are three tiny pockets of red where the Switzerland fans are."

You can listen to BBC Radio 5 live's commentary by clicking on the Live Coverage tab at the top of this page.

Himno Nacional Argentino booms around Arena de Sao Paulo. Argentina's fans are in great voice. Three minutes to kick-off.

Image source, Getty Images

Argentina: Romero, Federico Fernandez, Zabaleta, Garay, Rojo, Gago, Mascherano, Di Maria, Higuain, Messi, Lavezzi. Subs: Orion, Campagnaro, Biglia, Perez, Maxi Rodriguez, Augusto Fernandez, Demichelis, Palacio, Alvarez, Aguero, Andujar, Basanta.

Switzerland: Benaglio, Lichtsteiner, Schar, Djourou, Rodriguez, Inler, Behrami, Xhaka, Shaqiri, Mehmedi, Drmic. Subs: Sommer, Ziegler, Senderos, von Bergen, Lang, Barnetta, Seferovic, Stocker, Dzemaili, Fernandes, Gavranovic, Burki.

Referee: Jonas Eriksson (Sweden)

BBC Radio 5 live

Daily Mirror football journalist Ed Malyon: "Everyone knows Lionel Messi is not as popular in Argentina as Carlos Tevez or Diego Maradona. There is not that same 'Argentineness' if you will. Messi is no longer known as the Catalan but if he were to get sent off, say, that could come back.

"At the Copa America in 2011 in Santa Fe, the Argentina number 10 Lionel Messi was announced as 'the best player in the world'. The Argentina number 11 Carlos Tevez was announced as 'the people's player'.

"There is only one way for Messi to get close to that popularity and we all know what that is."

Former England defender Danny Mills
BBC Radio 5 live

"Lionel Messi is a fabulous player, he is like nobody else. It's almost like he plays in slow motion compared to other players.

"The best role for him is that free role. Ezequiel Lavezzi and Gonzalo Higuain will work down the channels and we want to see Messi pick the ball up in those little holes and run at people. That is what he does best."

Nervous sideways glances from the red-shirted Swiss players as they line up in the tunnel alongside Argentina. Lionel Messi scratches his head. He wants to get going. And here they come. . .

Former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage
MOTD analyst

"Javier Mascherano is always looking to find the best player in the team, Messi. He knows his role. When there are better technical players, your job is to find them. Argentina have the best discipline in the World Cup, which is the most surprising thing."

Image source, Getty Images

Eight minutes to kick-off. Argentina fans have taken over Arena de Sao Paulo and they have brought some friends with them.

David Ornstein
BBC Sport in Brazil

"Alejandro Sabella might not be a cigar-smoking, earring-wearing national icon who unleashes expletive-laden tirades and attracts more publicity than most of his players combined.

"But the current Argentina coach carries no less expectation than the last man who led them at the last World Cup in the eyes of a country desperate to see their 28-year wait for a third title brought to a glorious end, especially on enemy territory.

"It not the first time he has stepped into Diego Maradona's shoes. The previous occasion was in 1978, when then Sheffield United manager Harry Haslam travelled to Argentina on a scouting mission. He wanted to sign Maradona but returned with Sabella."

Read more of David's piece on Sabella on the BBC Sport website.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown
BBC Sport

"Every time Lionel Messi gets the ball we are talking about how to stop him. The problem is that you know what he is going to do but you can't stop him. He comes in from that right side and onto his left, that is where he is at his best.

"You have to be right in his face and all around him, as tight as you possibly can. But if you look at him he is travelling on top of the ball, which is very difficult to do. He is probably the best dribbler we have ever seen."

Former Wales midfielder Robbie Savage
MOTD analyst

"We have never seen such poor defending in a World Cup. I expect goals because Argentina and Switzerland are not great defensively."

Alexander:, external Much better balance to Argentina team, Lavezzi starter, no three centre-forwards like all the previous games, Sabella has got it right.

Image source, AP

It's been a close shave for Argentina after narrow wins against Bosnia, Iran and Nigeria.

Fortunately Lionel Messi has been in razor-sharp form with four goals in three games. And in celebration of Messi's heroics, one fan has had the likeness of the Argentina No 10 shaved into his head.

But will Messi be head and shoulders above the Swiss?

The Swiss conceded six times in their three group games. Even England and Iran, who have long since departed Brazil, did not let in that many.

Fortunately they are better at scoring than defending. Seven goals in three games is a decent return for a team seeking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time in 60 years.

Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld admits: "We are the clear outsiders but we have nothing to lose and much to gain."

There's a feeling that Argentina have yet to get going at this World Cup - even though they have won all three games.

Strongly fancied from the start, they conceded in two of their three Group F games - including two against Nigeria.

But at least their main man is firing and the two-time world champions will fancy their chances of advancing if Lionel Messi can add to his four goals in three games.

Image source, Reuters

BBC News reporter Imogen Foulkes in Berne: As a rising star on the Swiss football scene, Xherdan Shaqiri was asked about his origins.

'I'm a Kosovar Albanian,' was his answer, firmly identifying himself with a group which he knows very well has been demonised by some sections of Swiss society.

More recently, last December, he was asked how he celebrated Christmas. 'I'm a Muslim," he said with a smile. 'So we don't celebrate it so much, but my little sister loves to have a Christmas tree, so we always get one of those.'

Image source, @XS_11official

If Shaqiri does put one past Argentina, he will do it with three tiny flags sewn into his boots: Swiss, Kosovar and Albanian. The goal, though, will be Switzerland's.

Read more from Imogen about Switzerland's unlikely World Cup heroes on the BBC News website.

Former England captain Gary Lineker, MOTD

"What a terrific start Lionel Messi has had to this tournament. He came into it under enormous pressure to show that he can be, and has been, one of the world's greatest players ever.

"I always thought that the was saving a little bit for this World Cup. He understands how significant and important it is to him.

"He has scored four goals in three games - three of those from outside the box - and he has been voted man of the match in all three games he has played.

"I have tipped Argentina to win the World Cup but the way they are defending it's going to be difficult for them. They are going to have to tighten up in that area and just let Messi do his stuff."