Egypt will face one of their toughest challenges in recent memory when they take on 2026 FIFA World Cup contenders Argentina in the Round of 16 at the Atlanta Stadium on Tuesday evening, with much of the game’s focus being on the likes of Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah.
Kick-off is at 6:00pm (CAT, GMT+2).
CURRENT FORM
Egypt booked their ticket into the tournament’s Round of 16 following a 4-2 win on penalties over Australia at the Dallas Stadium last Friday.
The game ended 1-1 during regulation time after Emam Ashour opened the scoring in the 13th minute, while a Mohamed Hany own goal moments before the hour-mark equalled the score.
With nothing to separate the two sides after 120 minutes, the game eventually went to the dreaded penalty shootout, as Egypt’s win was supplemented by misses from Lucas Herrington and Harry Souttar.
Argentina, on the other hand, needed extra time to dispatch a spirited Cape Verde at the Miami Stadium on Saturday as they claimed a nervy 3-2 win over the smallest nation at the showpiece.
With the score reading 2-2 at the 103rd-minute mark, owing to Sidny Cabral’s emphatic curling effort on the edge of the area, Argentina were provided with one more chance in the 11th minute of extra time following a corner situation.
With the ball swung in, Messi managed to pick out Cristian Romero with an inch-perfect cross before the centre-back guided the ball home with a clutch header.
WHAT WAS SAID
While players and coaches prepare behind the scenes, Egypt’s national team director Ibrahim Hassan has urged the Pharaohs to ignore Messi’s status as one of the greats, given that they have a legend of their own in the form of Mohamed Salah.
“We aren’t focusing on Messi,” Hassan said.
“We tell the players to go out there, play their game, and block out the stature of who they are up against.
“They might have Messi, but we in Egypt have Mohamed Salah and we have 26 Messis of our own. God willing, victory will be ours.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Argentina: Lionel Messi – Alongside the likes of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland, a 39-year-old Messi has been in peak form at the World Cup leading into the Last 16. With seven goals to his name from four matches, the prolific attacker will once again provide the biggest threat to the Egyptian defence.
Egypt: Mohamed Salah – The former Liverpool talisman will head into the game with two goals and one assist to his name after four matches at the World Cup. While Salah may not be the prolific scorer of years gone by, the 34-year-old remains a vastly experienced forward with match-winning abilities.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Games: 2
Argentina wins: 1
Egypt wins: 0
Draws: 1
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