Lionel Messi sends in a cross for Cristian Romero gets a cross from the right and he heads the ball into the net. Messi breaks Maradona’s record with that assist and Argentina halves the deficit, with just over 10 minutes of regulation time left.

When Argentina looks back at the game, it will need to wonder whether replacing a holding midfielder for an attacker (Rodrigo de Paul for Lautaro) weighed too heavily on it as the second goal came soon after the substitution.

Argentina goes for another attack as Julian Alvarez gets a through ball in the box. He sends in a low cross, which Egypt’s defence clears. However, Alvarez was already off-side.

Argentina and Egypt both make changes after the second hydration break. Gonzalo Montiel comes on for Nahuel Molina, while Haissem Hassan makes way for Trezeguet.

Egypt attacks on the counter, with Hassan dragging the ball into the Argentina half and passing to Salah. Salah holds the ball, waiting for back up and passes to Hassan again, who then crosses to Ziko in the centre, who shoots on target yet again.

He scores again, and this time, the goal stands. The majority of the crowd is stunned into silence.

Argentina is looking to shuffle the pack as Lautaro Martinez and Nico Gonzalez come on for Rodrigo de Paul and and Nicolas Tagliafico, respectively.

The indication is clear: Attack on all costs.

Argentina is trying to stretch the Egyptian defence from left to right, but a six-man defence of the African side ensures very little goes past them, with Shobeir adding another layer of impediment. 

Hassam tries to set Ziko through with a grounded pass. But Argentina’s defence intercepts in time to get the ball back in control.

Messi takes the free-kick, which is seen out to safety by Egypt. The chants and roars of Egypt fans continue to get louder.

Haissem Hassan carries the ball from the Egyptian half after Lisandro Martinez loses the ball. Hassan makes a brilliant run, passes to Salah, who sets up Ziko. Ziko shoots past Emi Martinez to score. But after a VAR check, the goal is disallowed.

Lionel Messi is probing and testing around the Argentina final third, now wandering around the right flank. 

Fathy tries to steal the ball off Messi and ends up conceding a free-kick. No cards involved. Messi passes to Rodrigo de Paul instead of shooting right away. Messi gets the ball back tries to barge into the box. Fathy gets the ball off Messi this time, settling the score.

Enzo Fernandez passes the ball to Tagliafico, whose cross is blocked by Egypt, which tries to attack on the counter. However, the final pass for Salah is intercepted by Romero. The two have had similar battles in Tottenham vs Liverpool clashes, but this is a whole different stage altogether.

Argentina gets a free-kick, which Messi takes, after a Salah by Mohamed Salah on Paredes. Shobeir punches the ball out of danger and a shot that follows seconds later goes flying off-target.

Hassan tries to make a run along the right flank. He takes on three Argentine defenders and concedes a throw-in. Argentina soon wins the back and marches in numbers into the final third.

Hassan goes to ground after a challenge from behind by Tagliafico. The referee gives a foul, but keeps his cards in his pocket. Argentina wins the ball back after the free-kick, and Messi runs into the Egypt box. Rabia comes to Egypt’s rescue yet again, surrounding him as Messi loses control. Goal kick to Egypt.

Messi crosses to his right to Rodrigo de Paul, who shoots on target, past the legs of Egyptian defenders. Shobeir makes a regulation save.

Triangular passes the the white and sky blue shirts breaks the press of Egypt in the midfield, but fails to breach into the final third as they pass it back.

Argentina tries to go for an early attack, with a through ball threaded in for Messi. Rami Rabia, the man assigned to mark Messi, intercepts in time and gets the ball out of his box.

Egypt makes a change after the break, with Hamdi Fathi coming on for Emam Ashour. Argentina, meanwhile, resumes unchanged in Atlanta.

Mostafa Shobeir was Egypt’s most important player in the first 45 minutes, having made three saves, including a penalty from Messi.

So, who is the Al Ahly goalkeeper? Click on the link below to read about him.

Who is Mostafa Shobeir, Egypt goalkeeper who saved Messi penalty during Round of 16?

Shobeir guessed the direction and dove to his left, getting both hands to Messi’s penalty attempt in the 21st minute.

A set-piece goal by Yasser Ibrahim separates the two sides at the break in one of the most unexpected results in the World Cup so far. Lionel Messi missed a second penalty in this World Cup, the first to do so, as Argentina goes into half-time, trailing 0-1.

Argentina goes for another attack as it rains attempts one after the other, with a long ball sent in by Mac Allister for Lionel Messi. However, Rami Rabia marks him well to intercept and his header is caught by Shobeir.

Argentina gets a free-kick, with Lionel Messi takes the kick. Shobeir jumps to catch the ball right away as another chance for the world champion is nipped in the bud.

Shobeir stayed on the ground after the save. Is he injured? Perhaps not. Egypt’s medical team rushes to him and after a few seconds, the 26-year-old gets back, ready.

Argentina attacks along the left flank this time. Tagliafico crosses to Julian Alvarez, who steers the ball on target. Shobeir makes a phenomenal save to deny a certain goal. Clearly the best save of the game so far!

Lionel Messi gets the ball outside the box and tries a shot, but skies it instead. Egypt gets a goal kick and Messi looks up in the air, murmuring a prayer.

Argentina tries to breach the heavy low block in the Egyptian half at the moment. The Pharaohs have taken the lead and are putting their bodies on the line to maintain the slender difference.

Mohanad Lasheen and Julian Alvarez go for the ball together and the Egyptian concedes a foul. Alvarez goes to the ground, grimacing in pain. He takes time to recover and finally gets back on his feet.

Argentina gets a free-kick, which Messi takes — a left-footed curler, which hits the woodwork! Goal kick to Egypt as another chance ends to nothing for the world champion.

Mac Allister and Rodrigo de Paul combine in Egypt’s final third, with the latter setting up the Liverpool midfielder. Mac Allister heads the ball on target and Shobeir makes a brilliant save, pushing the ball away with both his hands.

The match resumes in Atlanta as Egypt tries to go for an attack along the right. This time, Tagliafico intercepts as Argentina tries to conjure a comeback.

The referee pauses play for the first hydration break, and the tables have suddenly turned. Egyptian fans are seen celebrating as Argentine fans look up, praying for a comeback.

Lionel Messi steps up for the penalty kick. He goes for his right and Mostafa Shobeir jumps to his right and makes a save! Oh my god, Messi has missed his second penalty in this World Cup.

Tagliafico gets a through ball from the left and as he enters the box, Hassan brings him down and the referee points to the spot!

This was the first attempt on goal from any opponent against Argentina in the first half of this World Cup. The majority of the crowd is stunned.

Egypt attacks through a set-piece, following the corner. Marwan Ateya sends in the cross and Yasser Ibrahim jumps in for a header and finds the net! Emiliano Martinez stays glued the ground, unmoved.

Thirteen minutes into the match and either side is yet to land a shot. Egypt tries to start a quick attack, but Ashour goes down after a foul by Rodrigo de Paul. The free-kick is taken quickly. Hassam then sends in a corner, which is cleared by Argentina. Another ball comes in and Egypt gets a corner.

Hafez goes down after a foul by Enzo Fernandez and Egypt takes the free-kick quickly. The chants and songs from Argentine fans are already echoing around the stadium. Home away from home for Messi and Co. ?? Let us know in the comments and on our social media channels.

Argentina goes for a quick attack, with Rodrigo receiving a through pass. He waits for Enzo to arrive and then delivers a low cross. However, the linesman had the flag raised.

Hassan tries to make a run along the right flank, but Tagliafico pushes him down and Egypt gets a free-kick. First set-piece opportunity of the match. Salah takes it, but the cross is eventually cleared by Argentina.

Egypt tries to absorb the pressure and go for an attack, with Ashour making a run along the left. Paredes stops the Egyptian in his tracks, winning the ball for Argentina.

Argentina is enjoying early possession, while Egypt is handed an injury scare as Ashour is seen having some discomfort. He eventually gets back on his feet.

Argentina is playing in a 4-4-2 shape, with Messi and Alvarez as the forwards. Meanwhile, Egypt is playing in a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Salah on the right flank.

Argentina and Egypt have played just once, but Messi and Salah had not met on the international stage until tonight. Argentina goes for an attack, with Alvarez trying an overlapping run with Mac Allister. Egypt’s defence intercepts it.

Argentina is playing from left to right, while Egypt starts from the other end. The South American side is the defending champion while the Pharaos are playing in the round of 16 for the first time since 1938.

Lionel Messi gets the ball rolling in Atlanta. Egypt starts in its home kit of red and black, while Argentina is sporting is iconic kit of white and sky blue. 

The national anthems of both teams are done as fans stand shoulder-to-shoulder, with flags of both teams held up high before the game. The players take their respective positions on the field after team photographs.

The build-up for this clash is complete. The players are ready. Let the game begin!

The players of both Argentina and Egypt are ready in the tunnel to come out. Salah greets Mac Allister with a warm hug. The two must have some brilliant memories during their time at Liverpool.

The teams walk out onto the field. Raucous cheers from the stands, Dai Dai on the speaker and a quarterfinal spot on the line — the arena is ready, with kick off scheduled in a few minutes.

Argentina and Egypt have met only twice before in official international history, with the South American powerhouse maintaining a perfect record against the Pharaohs.

This highly anticipated knockout clash will also mark the first time global icons Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah face each other in senior international football.

Total Matches: 1

Argentina: 1

Draws: 0

Egypt: 0

Most of the fans with tickets have already made it into the stadium. The pre-match warm-ups are done, with the teams back into their dressing room for the last-minute talks. 

A spot in the quarterfinals is up for grabs and it is Lionel Messi vs Mohammed Salah here in Atlanta.

Egypt entered the round of 16 for the first time since 1938, having beaten Australia in penalties. Will the team, led by Mohammed Sahal, continue its historic run?

Egypt’s form in the last five matches:

Egypt 1-1 (4-2 pens) Australia (Round of 32)

Egypt 1-1 Iran (Group Stage)

Egypt 3-1 New Zealand (Group Stage)

Egypt 1-1 Belgium (Group Stage)

Egypt 1-2 Brazil (Pre-tournament friendly)

Argentina, the defending world champion, is eyeing consecutive titles, and goes up against Egypt in the round of 16 clash in Atlanta. 

What to expect, who could fire and how have the two teams shaped up? Ayon Sengupta writes from Atlanta for Sportstar below:

World Cup 2026: Argentina looks to recover from Cabo Verde scare against disciplined Egypt

Argentina takes on Egypt in the World Cup round of 16 after Lionel Scaloni’s side survived a Cabo Verde scare and Hossam Hassan’s men edged Australia on penalties.

Argentina comes into the match after a 3-2 victory on Cape Verde in extra-time. Lionel Messi had scored the opening goal of that match.

Argentina in the last five matches: W W W W W

Argentina 3-2 Cape Verde (Round of 32)

Argentina 3-1 Jordan (Group Stage)

Argentina 2-0 Austria (Group Stage)

Argentina 3-0 Algeria (Group Stage)

Argentina 3-0 Iceland (Pre-tournament friendly)

An anti-climatic finish for Cristiano Ronaldo last night ended Portugal’s hopes in the World Cup. Will Lionel Messi, his long-term compatriot and rival (in some capacity), have a different take today?

Listen to Sportstar’s World Cup Insomnia podcast below:

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xm-WY6hd6SE[/embed]

Mohamed Salah, the captain of Egypt and and Premier League and national team legend through and through, has arrived at the stadium for the match. The contest kicks off in just over an hour from now.

The team buses of both teams have arrived at the Mercedes-Benz/Dallas Stadium before the match, with the warm-up session beginning soon. We are in for a cracker here.

Lionel Scaloni makes three changes for Argentina from its previous line-up: Tagliafico for Medin., Paredes for Almada and Julián Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez.

Mostafa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Ziko, Mohanad Lashin; Mohamed Salah, Haissem Hassan

Emi Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Messi and Julián Álvarez.

Two of the greatest forwards in modern football, Mohammed Salah and Lionel Messi are expected to go up against each other in this clash. The two made their mark for Liverpool and Barcelona, respectively, and will look to continue doing the same in national team colours this time around. 

Argentina (4-3-3): Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Facundo Medina; Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Thiago Almada, Lautaro Martínez, Lionel Messi.

Egypt (4-2-3-1): Mostafa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Hamdy Fathy; Mohamed Salah, Emam Ashour, Omar Marmoush; Mostafa Ziko

Both Argentina and Egypt needed 120 draining minutes to survive their opening knockout ties and had barely four days to recover before meeting for a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.

For Argentina, that short turnaround has come with a little more anxiety after Lionel Scaloni’s side, so smooth through the group stage, came within minutes of a seismic upset before edging Cabo Verde 3-2 after extra time. Egypt, meanwhile, is here after beating Australia 4-2 (1-1 after extra time) on penalties.