Messi leads Argentina to title defence and history – Can Pharaohs stand in their way?

Argentina are still alive in their pursuit of back-to-back World Cup titles, but only after escaping one of the biggest scares of the tournament. Their dramatic extra-time victory over World Cup newcomers Cabo Verde kept Lionel Scaloni's side on course to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the trophy.Standing between La Albiceleste and the quarter-finals is an ambitious Egypt side chasing history of its own. The winners of tonight's clash will face either Switzerland or Colombia for a place in the semi-finals.𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐃𝐄𝐅𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐌𝐏𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐒 𝐀𝐑𝐄 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊. 🇦🇷But Salah’s Egypt stand between Messi and 𝗔𝗡𝗢𝗧𝗛𝗘𝗥 step towards defending the World Cup 👀Who reaches the quarter-finals? 🔮 pic.twitter.com/XOGeDHzv8W— 433 (@433) July 7, 2026 Argentina appeared to have complete control against Cabo Verde after the opening 45 minutes, only for the tournament debutants to mount a remarkable fightback. Twice the African nation recovered from behind before an own goal in the 111th minute finally settled a breathtaking 3-2 contest.While Scaloni will be pleased with his team's attacking output, defensive issues remain a concern. Argentina have now scored exactly three goals in three of their four matches but have also failed to record clean sheets against both Jordan and Cabo Verde.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Egypt, meanwhile, arrive full of belief after writing another memorable chapter in their football history. Their penalty shootout triumph over Australia delivered the country's first-ever victory in a World Cup knockout match and moved them within one win of becoming only the fifth African nation to reach the quarter-finals.Hossam Hassan's side have lost just once in their previous eight matches and will have little reason to fear the reigning champions.Lionel Messi continues to chase another remarkable milestone. Already the World Cup's all-time leading scorer, the Argentine captain could become only the sixth player in tournament history to score in each of his country's opening five matches at a single World Cup.Lionel Messi 🌟#FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/Na1X8ADKgn— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 4, 2026 Egypt possess a superstar of their own in Mohamed Salah. No player has created more chances than the former Liverpool forward at this tournament, with 16 opportunities fashioned for his teammates heading into the last-16 stage.Argentina also boast an impressive record when knockout matches extend beyond regulation time. They have won 10 of their 12 World Cup fixtures that have gone past 90 minutes, claiming four victories before penalties and emerging victorious in six shootouts.📊Most chances created per 90 at the 2026 World Cup:◉ 4.26 – Mohamed Salah ◎ 3.99 – Leandro Trossard◎ 2.99 – Yan Diomande◎ 2.99 – Kevin De Bruyne ◎ 2.98 – Florian Wirtz (300+ minutes played) https://t.co/Spqqbqgrii pic.twitter.com/adksUL1FA3— Squawka (@Squawka) July 5, 2026 Scaloni has a few selection concerns ahead of the encounter. Nicolas Gonzalez remains doubtful because of an ankle problem, while Nahuel Molina and Facundo Medina were both substituted against Cabo Verde after picking up minor knocks.Medina's issue has since been described as cramp, and Molina is also expected to recover in time. Should either fail to make the starting lineup, Tagliafico and Montiel are ready to step in.The Argentina coach may still resist making significant changes. Messi is expected to continue alongside Lautaro Martinez in attack, although Julian Alvarez is pushing for a place after Martinez was withdrawn shortly after the hour mark in the previous round.##NAJAVA_MECA_9837980##At the back, Romero and Lisandro Martinez are set to remain the preferred central defensive pairing after both made important contributions against Cabo Verde.Egypt also received encouraging news before the knockout clash. Salah overcame a fitness concern to complete all 120 minutes against Australia and confidently converted a Panenka penalty during the shootout. He is expected to operate behind the striker once again, supported by Marmoush and Ashour, who found the net in the previous round.Defensively, however, Hassan has several headaches. First-choice left-back Ahmed Fatouh and his replacement Hafez are both battling injuries, while central defender Abdelmonem is also facing a race to be fit.🚨🗣️ Lionel Scaloni:"We've had several meetings with the players. Yesterday, we spoke about Egypt and discussed how to approach this opponent. They're a different kind of team, and we know we can't lose our identity. We focused on what we believe the team needs to do to be the… pic.twitter.com/rwZyybzif2— FC Barcelona Fans Nation (@fcbfn_live) July 7, 2026 A major boost comes in midfield, where Mohanad Lasheen is available again after serving a one-match suspension.Interestingly, Argentina and Egypt have crossed paths only once before. Their lone previous meeting came in an international friendly on March 26, 2008, when Argentina secured a 2-0 victory away from home. With no competitive history between the nations, tonight's Round of 16 showdown offers a rare and intriguing first chapter on the World Cup stage.WORLD CUP – KNOCKOUT STAGERound of 16SaturdayCanada – Morocco 0-3 (0-0)/Ounahi 50, 82, Rahimi 90+8/SundayFrance – Paraguay 1-0 (0-0)/Mbappe 70 pen/Brazil – Norway 1-2 (0-0)/Neymar 90+10 pen – Haaland 79, 90/MondayMexico – England 2-3 (1-2)/Quinones 42, Jimenez 69 pen – Bellingham 36,38, Kane 60 pen/Portugal – Spain 0-1 (0-0)/Merino 90+1/TuesdayUSA – Belgium 1-4 (1-2)/Tillman 31 – De Ketelaere 9, 33, Vanaken 57, Lukaku 90+3/19.00: (1.37) Argentina (4.70) Egypt (9.00)23.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.25) Colombia (2.30)***odds are subject to change**