Wimbledon 2026: ‘Racket and heart’ as Djokovic tames Auger-Aliassime to enter semifinals
Novak Djokovic reached an eighth straight Wimbledon semifinal after grinding down Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) in an epic battle on Tuesday to set up a showdown with reigning champion Jannik Sinner.
Having surpassed Roger Federer for most match victories at the All England Club with his 106th win in the last round, the 39-year-old eclipsed the Swiss again by becoming the first man to reach the last four eight straight times.
Djokovic got there by coming through the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history, at five hours and 15 minutes, with a gutsy display against a determined opponent who proved hard to break down for much of the contest.
“I won with a racket and a lot of heart,” Djokovic said.
“I guess it’s the management of the nerves and the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches. Towards the end, it was anybody’s game. The scoreline was even all the way through. It was anybody’s game in the super tiebreak in the fifth.
“What can I say? I mean, these are kinds of moments that I still play tennis for. I wish it was the final, you know, so I don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow. But yeah… I’m happy that I won.”
ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER CLASH WITH SINNER
Djokovic’s hunt for an eighth crown to match retired rival Federer and a 25th major trophy to move past Australian Margaret Court will continue when he meets Sinner in what promises to be another blockbuster chapter in their rivalry.
“It’s just another semifinal for me. I’m going to look at the numbers and everything when I finish my career,” he said.
“Right now, it’s all business. I still have to recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days.”
Djokovic, the seventh seed, chuckled after several missed chances in a long opening-set tiebreak, and had the last laugh when Auger-Aliassime blasted a volley long to surrender a set that he should have comfortably won.
A double fault from Djokovic gifted Auger-Aliassime a break to go up 5-3 in the next set and the Canadian held his nerve and serve in the next game to draw level in the contest, before the Centre Court roof was closed at around 7.40 p.m. local time.
DJOKOVIC COMPOSED AFTER COMPLAINTS
The move prompted complaints from Djokovic, but he composed himself as the third set got underway and produced cleaner ball-striking to finally break Auger-Aliassime in the sixth game and then tighten his grip on the match.
Auger-Aliassime lost his opening service game in the fourth set and let his frustrations boil over when he whacked his chair with his racket, but put up a brave display and got back on level terms via the tiebreak to force a decider.
There was no separating the pair for 12 games of the final set until Djokovic drew on his experience in the match tiebreak to finally overcome Auger-Aliassime and soak up the deafening applause from a thoroughly-entertained crowd.
“You know, I was telling my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set but they didn’t want to listen,” Djokovic added.
“I’m glad they stayed up, because it was, honestly, one of the best matches I was part of on this court, in my career.”
Novak Djokovic reached an eighth straight Wimbledon semifinal after grinding down Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(10-4) in an epic battle on Tuesday to set up a showdown with reigning champion Jannik Sinner.
Having surpassed Roger Federer for most match victories at the All England Club with his 106th win in the last round, the 39-year-old eclipsed the Swiss again by becoming the first man to reach the last four eight straight times.
Djokovic got there by coming through the longest quarterfinal in Wimbledon history, at five hours and 15 minutes, with a gutsy display against a determined opponent who proved hard to break down for much of the contest.
“I won with a racket and a lot of heart,” Djokovic said.
“I guess it’s the management of the nerves and the extreme tension you feel in these kinds of matches. Towards the end, it was anybody’s game. The scoreline was even all the way through. It was anybody’s game in the super tiebreak in the fifth.
“What can I say? I mean, these are kinds of moments that I still play tennis for. I wish it was the final, you know, so I don’t need to worry about how the body will feel tomorrow. But yeah… I’m happy that I won.”
ANOTHER BLOCKBUSTER CLASH WITH SINNER
Djokovic’s hunt for an eighth crown to match retired rival Federer and a 25th major trophy to move past Australian Margaret Court will continue when he meets Sinner in what promises to be another blockbuster chapter in their rivalry.
RELATED | Sinner aces Struff challenge to advance to semis
“It’s just another semifinal for me. I’m going to look at the numbers and everything when I finish my career,” he said.
“Right now, it’s all business. I still have to recover. I’m still in the tournament, and I have the best player in the world in a few days.”
Djokovic, the seventh seed, chuckled after several missed chances in a long opening-set tiebreak, and had the last laugh when Auger-Aliassime blasted a volley long to surrender a set that he should have comfortably won.
A double fault from Djokovic gifted Auger-Aliassime a break to go up 5-3 in the next set and the Canadian held his nerve and serve in the next game to draw level in the contest, before the Centre Court roof was closed at around 7.40 p.m. local time.
DJOKOVIC COMPOSED AFTER COMPLAINTS
The move prompted complaints from Djokovic, but he composed himself as the third set got underway and produced cleaner ball-striking to finally break Auger-Aliassime in the sixth game and then tighten his grip on the match.
Auger-Aliassime lost his opening service game in the fourth set and let his frustrations boil over when he whacked his chair with his racket, but put up a brave display and got back on level terms via the tiebreak to force a decider.
There was no separating the pair for 12 games of the final set until Djokovic drew on his experience in the match tiebreak to finally overcome Auger-Aliassime and soak up the deafening applause from a thoroughly-entertained crowd.
“You know, I was telling my kids to go to sleep after the fourth set but they didn’t want to listen,” Djokovic added.
“I’m glad they stayed up, because it was, honestly, one of the best matches I was part of on this court, in my career.”
Published on Jul 08, 2026
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#Wimbledon #Racket #heart #Djokovic #tames #AugerAliassime #enter #semifinals
#Deadspin #Athletics #activate #Jacob #Wilson">Deadspin | Athletics activate SS Jacob Wilson from IL
Jun 17, 2026; West Sacramento, California, USA; Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson (5) hits a single during the sixth inning of the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Sutter Health Park. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-Imagn Images
The Athletics activated shortstop Jacob Wilson from the injured list Tuesday while left-hander Jacob Lopez also was added to the active roster.
In corresponding moves, the club optioned catcher Brian Serven and right-hander Kade Morris to Triple-A Las Vegas.
Wilson, 24, has not played since June 26 because of right thumb inflammation. One season after Wilson was named an American League All-Star and finished second in AL Rookie of the Year voting, he is batting .277 with four homers and 26 RBIs in 50 games. Wilson also has missed time with a shoulder injury this season.
Lopez, 28, is 4-3 with a 6.75 ERA in 12 appearances (10 starts) for the A’s this season. In parts of four major league seasons, he is 12-10 with a 4.99 ERA in 41 appearances (29 starts) for the Tampa Bay Rays (2023-24) and A’s.
Serven, 31, has played one game for the A’s this season, his first major league action in two years. In parts of four seasons, he is a career .188 hitter with six home runs and 20 RBIs in 102 games for the Colorado Rockies (2022-23), Toronto Blue Jays (2024) and A’s.
Morris, 24, made his major league debut June 6 and went 0-1 with an 11.70 ERA over his first three appearances (one start).
Against a New England Patriots offense that had specialized in the power run game throughout the 2025 season, Seattle played base defense exactly 1.5% of the time. The Patriots played into that by using 11 personnel on 79.1% of their snaps, but still… when you play nickel (five defensive backs) on 44.8% of their snaps (14.2% below the NFL average) and dime (six defensive backs) on an astonishing 53.7% of their snaps (43.9% of the NFL average), something was afoot — and it made all the difference in Seattle’s 29-13 win.
The name of that something was Nick Emmanwori. The 35th overall pick in the 2025 draft out of South Carolina, the 6’ 3⅛”, 220-pound Emmanwori (who completely dominated the 2025 scouting combine) became head coach Mike Macdonald’s multi-position enforcer, in many of the same ways Kyle Hamilton filled that role back when Macdonald was the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023.
“We’ve had him at 9-technique, 5-technique, he’s playing the slot,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said of Emmanwori last December. “We’re putting a lot on his plate. That’s part of my message to him, ‘You’ve got a lot on your plate, there’s a lot of expectations, and rightfully so, you’ve earned those opportunities. Go prepare your tail off so you can play the brand of ball you want to play. Then go let it rip, and if something happens throughout the game, we’ll fix it or we’ll put you out of that situation, but just go to the next one and keep rolling.’”
Overall, it worked very well. Emmanwori played 51% of his snaps last season in the box, 45% in the slot, 2% in the deep third, and 2% as an overhang defender. His success was the latest in a long line of do-it-all safeties that goes back to Charles Woodson, through Eric Berry, Tyrann Mathieu, Derwin James, and Hamilton. These types of players have never been more relevant in the NFL, and that proved itself out in the 2026 draft.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Ohio State’s Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick.
The Chicago Bears selected Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick.
The Cleveland Browns selected Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren with the 58th pick.
Now that these guys are in the NFL, what can they do for their new teams all over the field?
Caleb Downs, Dallas Cowboys
May 1, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs (18) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Last season for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Downs played 37% of his snaps as a two-deep safety, 30% in the slot, 17% as a single-high safety, and 9% as an outside cornerback or overhang defender. Overall, he had one sack, five pressures, 58 solo tackles, 35 stops, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and in coverage, he allowed 25 catches on 38 targets for 168 yards, 92 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, two interceptions, one pass breakup, and an opponent passer rating of 53.4.
Downs may be the most NFL-ready player in this class regardless of position; he ran the show in Matt Patricia’s NFL-conversant defense, and there’s no reason to believe that he can’t do that at the next level — especially in a new Christian Parker-led defense that takes its two-high shells, match coverage principles, and defensive back versatility from the Vic Fangio tree (Parker was the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game coordinator & defensive backs coach in 2024 and 2025). Certainly a glow-up from whatever the heck it was that Matt Eberflus was doing with that defense last season.
“Premium instincts,” Parker said of Downs in early May. “You can tell his football intellect, the way he directs traffic out there, the way he reads and reacts, his brain is connected with his feet. It was constant. You’re watching three years of film, and there’s not a difference in the tape.
”He’s constantly making the right decision, constantly down in the football, constantly making contact with it, constantly just in the right spot. It’s just a smooth, smooth transition and smooth play.”
Dillon Thieneman, Chicago Bears
May 8, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) runs during Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Last season for the Oregon Ducks, Thieneman played 54% of his snaps as a split safety, 22% as a single-high safety, 12% in the slot, 8% in the box, and 4% as an outside cornerback or overhang defender. He had four pressures, 72 solo tackles, 30 stops, three tackles for loss, and in coverage, he allowed 18 catches on 29 targets for 145 yards, 42 yards after the catch, three touchdowns, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 80.4.
“Range,” Bears Director of College Scouting Breck Ackley said when asked to detail Thieneman’s most impressive trait. “The versatility to play. He has nickel-flex. He has the versatility to play both free and strong. But the thing that stands out, if you can go back to his Purdue tape, 2023, when he had six picks, he’s really got some center field range stuff.
“Oregon used him a little bit in a rover role, and at times in a different role. Safety is one of those positions where you really have to watch a lot of tape, but there’s plenty of snaps for him. He can flip his hips, he can cover ground, and then you add in the versatility, the run support, the physicality. But I would say the range stands out.”
It is entirely likely that Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will use Thieneman as his range guy in 2026 and beyond, because that is indeed his most impressive trait. Kevin Byard was the team’s primary free safety last season, and he signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the New England Patriots this offseason. Former Seahawks safety Coby Bryant is now in the fold on a three-year, $40 million deal, which gives the Bears some flexibility, but you can be sure that Thieneman’s particular range and coverage traits will be a big part of Allen’s defense.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Cleveland Browns
May 8, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (28) during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Last season for the Toledo Rockets, McNeil-Warren played 45% of his snaps as a single-high safety, 20% in the slot, 19% as a split safety, and 2% on the outside. He had one sack, five pressures, 42 solo tackles, 17 stops, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and in coverage, he allowed six catches on 15 targets for 116 yards, 50 yards after the catch, one touchdown, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 50.3.
“I think what’s so special about Emmanuel is the versatility that he brings,: Assistant GM & Vice President of Football Operations Catherine Hickman said. ”You’re thinking of a player that can play high, can play low, a player that has excellent ball skills, size, strength, physicality. So really a player that the way we want to play defense, just gives our defensive coaches so many options. And they’re going to be extremely pleased to work with him.”
I have no doubt about that, and I was surprised that McNeil-Warren lasted until the second round. He has some things to work on like any draft prospect does, but he may also have the most pure athletic upside among these three players. At 6’ 3½” and 201 pounds, he has all the tools to be one of the new wave of complete safeties — the new type of player that every NFL team not only wants… but desperately needs.
Against a New England Patriots offense that had specialized in the power run game throughout the 2025 season, Seattle played base defense exactly 1.5% of the time. The Patriots played into that by using 11 personnel on 79.1% of their snaps, but still… when you play nickel (five defensive backs) on 44.8% of their snaps (14.2% below the NFL average) and dime (six defensive backs) on an astonishing 53.7% of their snaps (43.9% of the NFL average), something was afoot — and it made all the difference in Seattle’s 29-13 win.
The name of that something was Nick Emmanwori. The 35th overall pick in the 2025 draft out of South Carolina, the 6’ 3⅛”, 220-pound Emmanwori (who completely dominated the 2025 scouting combine) became head coach Mike Macdonald’s multi-position enforcer, in many of the same ways Kyle Hamilton filled that role back when Macdonald was the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023.
“We’ve had him at 9-technique, 5-technique, he’s playing the slot,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said of Emmanwori last December. “We’re putting a lot on his plate. That’s part of my message to him, ‘You’ve got a lot on your plate, there’s a lot of expectations, and rightfully so, you’ve earned those opportunities. Go prepare your tail off so you can play the brand of ball you want to play. Then go let it rip, and if something happens throughout the game, we’ll fix it or we’ll put you out of that situation, but just go to the next one and keep rolling.’”
Overall, it worked very well. Emmanwori played 51% of his snaps last season in the box, 45% in the slot, 2% in the deep third, and 2% as an overhang defender. His success was the latest in a long line of do-it-all safeties that goes back to Charles Woodson, through Eric Berry, Tyrann Mathieu, Derwin James, and Hamilton. These types of players have never been more relevant in the NFL, and that proved itself out in the 2026 draft.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Ohio State’s Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick.
The Chicago Bears selected Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick.
The Cleveland Browns selected Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren with the 58th pick.
Now that these guys are in the NFL, what can they do for their new teams all over the field?
Caleb Downs, Dallas Cowboys
May 1, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs (18) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Last season for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Downs played 37% of his snaps as a two-deep safety, 30% in the slot, 17% as a single-high safety, and 9% as an outside cornerback or overhang defender. Overall, he had one sack, five pressures, 58 solo tackles, 35 stops, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and in coverage, he allowed 25 catches on 38 targets for 168 yards, 92 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, two interceptions, one pass breakup, and an opponent passer rating of 53.4.
Downs may be the most NFL-ready player in this class regardless of position; he ran the show in Matt Patricia’s NFL-conversant defense, and there’s no reason to believe that he can’t do that at the next level — especially in a new Christian Parker-led defense that takes its two-high shells, match coverage principles, and defensive back versatility from the Vic Fangio tree (Parker was the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game coordinator & defensive backs coach in 2024 and 2025). Certainly a glow-up from whatever the heck it was that Matt Eberflus was doing with that defense last season.
“Premium instincts,” Parker said of Downs in early May. “You can tell his football intellect, the way he directs traffic out there, the way he reads and reacts, his brain is connected with his feet. It was constant. You’re watching three years of film, and there’s not a difference in the tape.
”He’s constantly making the right decision, constantly down in the football, constantly making contact with it, constantly just in the right spot. It’s just a smooth, smooth transition and smooth play.”
Dillon Thieneman, Chicago Bears
May 8, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) runs during Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Last season for the Oregon Ducks, Thieneman played 54% of his snaps as a split safety, 22% as a single-high safety, 12% in the slot, 8% in the box, and 4% as an outside cornerback or overhang defender. He had four pressures, 72 solo tackles, 30 stops, three tackles for loss, and in coverage, he allowed 18 catches on 29 targets for 145 yards, 42 yards after the catch, three touchdowns, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 80.4.
“Range,” Bears Director of College Scouting Breck Ackley said when asked to detail Thieneman’s most impressive trait. “The versatility to play. He has nickel-flex. He has the versatility to play both free and strong. But the thing that stands out, if you can go back to his Purdue tape, 2023, when he had six picks, he’s really got some center field range stuff.
“Oregon used him a little bit in a rover role, and at times in a different role. Safety is one of those positions where you really have to watch a lot of tape, but there’s plenty of snaps for him. He can flip his hips, he can cover ground, and then you add in the versatility, the run support, the physicality. But I would say the range stands out.”
It is entirely likely that Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will use Thieneman as his range guy in 2026 and beyond, because that is indeed his most impressive trait. Kevin Byard was the team’s primary free safety last season, and he signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the New England Patriots this offseason. Former Seahawks safety Coby Bryant is now in the fold on a three-year, $40 million deal, which gives the Bears some flexibility, but you can be sure that Thieneman’s particular range and coverage traits will be a big part of Allen’s defense.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Cleveland Browns
May 8, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (28) during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Last season for the Toledo Rockets, McNeil-Warren played 45% of his snaps as a single-high safety, 20% in the slot, 19% as a split safety, and 2% on the outside. He had one sack, five pressures, 42 solo tackles, 17 stops, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and in coverage, he allowed six catches on 15 targets for 116 yards, 50 yards after the catch, one touchdown, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 50.3.
“I think what’s so special about Emmanuel is the versatility that he brings,: Assistant GM & Vice President of Football Operations Catherine Hickman said. ”You’re thinking of a player that can play high, can play low, a player that has excellent ball skills, size, strength, physicality. So really a player that the way we want to play defense, just gives our defensive coaches so many options. And they’re going to be extremely pleased to work with him.”
I have no doubt about that, and I was surprised that McNeil-Warren lasted until the second round. He has some things to work on like any draft prospect does, but he may also have the most pure athletic upside among these three players. At 6’ 3½” and 201 pounds, he has all the tools to be one of the new wave of complete safeties — the new type of player that every NFL team not only wants… but desperately needs.
#NFL #teams #supersafeties #Nick #Emmanworis #versatility">Why NFL teams want super-safeties with Nick Emmanwori’s versatility
In Super Bowl LX, the Seattle Seahawks did something that made absolutely no sense — and it worked like a charm.
Against a New England Patriots offense that had specialized in the power run game throughout the 2025 season, Seattle played base defense exactly 1.5% of the time. The Patriots played into that by using 11 personnel on 79.1% of their snaps, but still… when you play nickel (five defensive backs) on 44.8% of their snaps (14.2% below the NFL average) and dime (six defensive backs) on an astonishing 53.7% of their snaps (43.9% of the NFL average), something was afoot — and it made all the difference in Seattle’s 29-13 win.
The name of that something was Nick Emmanwori. The 35th overall pick in the 2025 draft out of South Carolina, the 6’ 3⅛”, 220-pound Emmanwori (who completely dominated the 2025 scouting combine) became head coach Mike Macdonald’s multi-position enforcer, in many of the same ways Kyle Hamilton filled that role back when Macdonald was the Baltimore Ravens’ defensive coordinator in 2022 and 2023.
“We’ve had him at 9-technique, 5-technique, he’s playing the slot,” Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said of Emmanwori last December. “We’re putting a lot on his plate. That’s part of my message to him, ‘You’ve got a lot on your plate, there’s a lot of expectations, and rightfully so, you’ve earned those opportunities. Go prepare your tail off so you can play the brand of ball you want to play. Then go let it rip, and if something happens throughout the game, we’ll fix it or we’ll put you out of that situation, but just go to the next one and keep rolling.’”
Overall, it worked very well. Emmanwori played 51% of his snaps last season in the box, 45% in the slot, 2% in the deep third, and 2% as an overhang defender. His success was the latest in a long line of do-it-all safeties that goes back to Charles Woodson, through Eric Berry, Tyrann Mathieu, Derwin James, and Hamilton. These types of players have never been more relevant in the NFL, and that proved itself out in the 2026 draft.
The Dallas Cowboys selected Ohio State’s Caleb Downs with the 11th overall pick.
The Chicago Bears selected Oregon’s Dillon Thieneman with the 25th overall pick.
The Cleveland Browns selected Toledo’s Emmanuel McNeil-Warren with the 58th pick.
Now that these guys are in the NFL, what can they do for their new teams all over the field?
Caleb Downs, Dallas Cowboys
May 1, 2026; Frisco, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys safety Caleb Downs (18) goes through a drill during practice at the Ford Center at the Star Training Facility in Frisco, Texas. Mandatory Credit: Chris Jones-Imagn Images Chris Jones-Imagn Images
Last season for the Ohio State Buckeyes, Downs played 37% of his snaps as a two-deep safety, 30% in the slot, 17% as a single-high safety, and 9% as an outside cornerback or overhang defender. Overall, he had one sack, five pressures, 58 solo tackles, 35 stops, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and in coverage, he allowed 25 catches on 38 targets for 168 yards, 92 yards after the catch, no touchdowns, two interceptions, one pass breakup, and an opponent passer rating of 53.4.
Downs may be the most NFL-ready player in this class regardless of position; he ran the show in Matt Patricia’s NFL-conversant defense, and there’s no reason to believe that he can’t do that at the next level — especially in a new Christian Parker-led defense that takes its two-high shells, match coverage principles, and defensive back versatility from the Vic Fangio tree (Parker was the Philadelphia Eagles’ passing game coordinator & defensive backs coach in 2024 and 2025). Certainly a glow-up from whatever the heck it was that Matt Eberflus was doing with that defense last season.
“Premium instincts,” Parker said of Downs in early May. “You can tell his football intellect, the way he directs traffic out there, the way he reads and reacts, his brain is connected with his feet. It was constant. You’re watching three years of film, and there’s not a difference in the tape.
”He’s constantly making the right decision, constantly down in the football, constantly making contact with it, constantly just in the right spot. It’s just a smooth, smooth transition and smooth play.”
Dillon Thieneman, Chicago Bears
May 8, 2026; Lake Forest, IL, USA; Chicago Bears defensive back Dillon Thieneman (31) runs during Rookie Minicamp at Halas Hall. Mandatory Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images Kamil Krzaczynski-Imagn Images
Last season for the Oregon Ducks, Thieneman played 54% of his snaps as a split safety, 22% as a single-high safety, 12% in the slot, 8% in the box, and 4% as an outside cornerback or overhang defender. He had four pressures, 72 solo tackles, 30 stops, three tackles for loss, and in coverage, he allowed 18 catches on 29 targets for 145 yards, 42 yards after the catch, three touchdowns, two interceptions, four pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 80.4.
“Range,” Bears Director of College Scouting Breck Ackley said when asked to detail Thieneman’s most impressive trait. “The versatility to play. He has nickel-flex. He has the versatility to play both free and strong. But the thing that stands out, if you can go back to his Purdue tape, 2023, when he had six picks, he’s really got some center field range stuff.
“Oregon used him a little bit in a rover role, and at times in a different role. Safety is one of those positions where you really have to watch a lot of tape, but there’s plenty of snaps for him. He can flip his hips, he can cover ground, and then you add in the versatility, the run support, the physicality. But I would say the range stands out.”
It is entirely likely that Bears defensive coordinator Dennis Allen will use Thieneman as his range guy in 2026 and beyond, because that is indeed his most impressive trait. Kevin Byard was the team’s primary free safety last season, and he signed a one-year, $7 million contract with the New England Patriots this offseason. Former Seahawks safety Coby Bryant is now in the fold on a three-year, $40 million deal, which gives the Bears some flexibility, but you can be sure that Thieneman’s particular range and coverage traits will be a big part of Allen’s defense.
Emmanuel McNeil-Warren, Cleveland Browns
May 8, 2026; Berea, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns safety Emmanuel McNeil-Warren (28) during rookie minicamp at CrossCountry Mortgage Campus. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-Imagn Images Ken Blaze-Imagn Images
Last season for the Toledo Rockets, McNeil-Warren played 45% of his snaps as a single-high safety, 20% in the slot, 19% as a split safety, and 2% on the outside. He had one sack, five pressures, 42 solo tackles, 17 stops, four tackles for loss, two forced fumbles, and in coverage, he allowed six catches on 15 targets for 116 yards, 50 yards after the catch, one touchdown, two interceptions, five pass breakups, and an opponent passer rating of 50.3.
“I think what’s so special about Emmanuel is the versatility that he brings,: Assistant GM & Vice President of Football Operations Catherine Hickman said. ”You’re thinking of a player that can play high, can play low, a player that has excellent ball skills, size, strength, physicality. So really a player that the way we want to play defense, just gives our defensive coaches so many options. And they’re going to be extremely pleased to work with him.”
I have no doubt about that, and I was surprised that McNeil-Warren lasted until the second round. He has some things to work on like any draft prospect does, but he may also have the most pure athletic upside among these three players. At 6’ 3½” and 201 pounds, he has all the tools to be one of the new wave of complete safeties — the new type of player that every NFL team not only wants… but desperately needs.
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium), Atlanta, USA
Kick-off time: 12 noon, July 7 (9:30 pm IST)
Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
79′ Romero scores! ARG 1-2 EGY
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.
78′
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.
76′
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.
73′
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.
67′ Ziko scores!
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.
66′
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.
64′
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.
63′
Hassam tries to set Ziko through with a grounded pass. But Argentina’s defence intercepts in time to get the ball back in control.
61′
Messi takes the free-kick, which is seen out to safety by Egypt. The chants and roars of Egypt fans continue to get louder.
July 07, 2026 22:52
FREE KICK
58′ Egypt’s goal disallowed!
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.
58′
Lionel Messi is probing and testing around the Argentina final third, now wandering around the right flank.
56′
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.
54′
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.
52′
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.
50′
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.
49′
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.
47′ Chance!
Messi crosses to his right to Rodrigo de Paul, who shoots on target, past the legs of Egyptian defenders. Shobeir makes a regulation save.
47′
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.
46′
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.
Second half begins!
Egypt makes a change after the break, with Hamdi Fathi coming on for Emam Ashour. Argentina, meanwhile, resumes unchanged in Atlanta.
Tell us your thoughts going into the second half
A Night to remember for Shobeir?
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.
July 07, 2026 22:23
HALFTIME
HT: Argentina 1-0 Egypt
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.
45+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.
44′
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.
41′
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.
39′ Chance for Argentina!
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!
38′
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.
37′
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.
33′
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.
31′ Messi hits the woodwork!
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.
28′ Chance! Shobeir makes another save
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.
27′
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.
24′
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.
21′ Messi’s penalty saved!
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.
19′
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!
18′
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.
15′ Goal! Egypt scores
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.
Yasser Ibrahim (in red) scores for Egypt in their FIFA World Cup round of 16 match against Argentina in Atlanta.
14′
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.
11′
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.
July 07, 2026 21:41
OFFSIDE
9′
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.
7′
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.
6′
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.
4′
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.
3′
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.
2′
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.
1′
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.
Kick Off!
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.
National anthems done and dusted!
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!
Minutes to kick-off!
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 vs Egypt head-to-head:
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
Stage is set!
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.
Fans inside the Atlanta stadium before the FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt on Tuesday.
Form guide: Egypt
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)
Words from Ground Zero
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.
Form guide: Argentina
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)
What’s in store and what has happened so far?
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:
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.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah arrives at the stadium before the match against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The players have arrived!
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.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul arrive at the stadium before the match against Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026.
Three changes for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni makes three changes for Argentina from its previous line-up: Tagliafico for Medin., Paredes for Almada and Julián Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez.
Emi Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Messi and Julián Álvarez.
Salah vs Messi upcoming?
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 vs Egypt Predicted Line-ups
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.
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.
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium), Atlanta, USA
Kick-off time: 12 noon, July 7 (9:30 pm IST)
Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
79′ Romero scores! ARG 1-2 EGY
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.
78′
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.
76′
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.
73′
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.
67′ Ziko scores!
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.
66′
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.
64′
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.
63′
Hassam tries to set Ziko through with a grounded pass. But Argentina’s defence intercepts in time to get the ball back in control.
61′
Messi takes the free-kick, which is seen out to safety by Egypt. The chants and roars of Egypt fans continue to get louder.
July 07, 2026 22:52
FREE KICK
58′ Egypt’s goal disallowed!
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.
58′
Lionel Messi is probing and testing around the Argentina final third, now wandering around the right flank.
56′
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.
54′
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.
52′
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.
50′
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.
49′
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.
47′ Chance!
Messi crosses to his right to Rodrigo de Paul, who shoots on target, past the legs of Egyptian defenders. Shobeir makes a regulation save.
47′
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.
46′
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.
Second half begins!
Egypt makes a change after the break, with Hamdi Fathi coming on for Emam Ashour. Argentina, meanwhile, resumes unchanged in Atlanta.
Tell us your thoughts going into the second half
A Night to remember for Shobeir?
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.
July 07, 2026 22:23
HALFTIME
HT: Argentina 1-0 Egypt
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.
45+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.
44′
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.
41′
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.
39′ Chance for Argentina!
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!
38′
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.
37′
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.
33′
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.
31′ Messi hits the woodwork!
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.
28′ Chance! Shobeir makes another save
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.
27′
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.
24′
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.
21′ Messi’s penalty saved!
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.
19′
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!
18′
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.
15′ Goal! Egypt scores
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.
Yasser Ibrahim (in red) scores for Egypt in their FIFA World Cup round of 16 match against Argentina in Atlanta.
14′
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.
11′
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.
July 07, 2026 21:41
OFFSIDE
9′
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.
7′
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.
6′
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.
4′
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.
3′
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.
2′
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.
1′
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.
Kick Off!
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.
National anthems done and dusted!
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!
Minutes to kick-off!
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 vs Egypt head-to-head:
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
Stage is set!
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.
Fans inside the Atlanta stadium before the FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt on Tuesday.
Form guide: Egypt
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)
Words from Ground Zero
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.
Form guide: Argentina
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)
What’s in store and what has happened so far?
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:
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.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah arrives at the stadium before the match against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The players have arrived!
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.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul arrive at the stadium before the match against Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026.
Three changes for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni makes three changes for Argentina from its previous line-up: Tagliafico for Medin., Paredes for Almada and Julián Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez.
Emi Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Messi and Julián Álvarez.
Salah vs Messi upcoming?
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 vs Egypt Predicted Line-ups
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.
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.
Published on Jul 07, 2026
#LIVE #SCORE #Argentina #Egypt #FIFA #World #Cup #Ziko #Ibrahim #score #Messi #breaks #Maradona #record">LIVE SCORE — Argentina vs Egypt, FIFA World Cup round of 16: Ziko, Ibrahim score; Messi breaks Maradona record
ARG vs EGY – Lionel Messi missed a penalty, while Nasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko scored for Egypt as the Pharaohs lead 2-0 in Atlanta in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16. Follow live updates of the match here.
Updated : Jul 07, 2026 23:15 IST
Mostafa Ziko celebrates his goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
Mostafa Ziko celebrates his goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of Argentina vs Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026 from the Atlanta Stadium in the USA. Lionel Messi saw his penalty kick saved while Yasser Ibrahim stunned the favourite — Argentina — with a goal from a set-piece, putting Egypt ahead.
Mostafa Ziko then doubled the lead with a brilliant strike after the hour mark.
Follow live updates of the match in real-time here on Sportstar.
ARG vs EGY Highlights:
15’ Goal! Egypt attacked through a set-piece, following the corner. Marwan Ateya sent in the cross and Yasser Ibrahim jumped in for a header and found the net!
21’ Penalty save! Lionel Messi stepped up for the penalty kick. He went for his right and Mostafa Shobeir jumped correctly to his left and makes a save!
Mostafa Shoubeir make a save against a penalty by Lionel Messi of Argentina vs Egypt at Atlanta Stadium.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP
Pre-match predictions?
Follow real-time updates, line-ups, score, goals and highlights from the round of 16 match as the Albiceleste lock horns with Egypt.
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium), Atlanta, USA
Kick-off time: 12 noon, July 7 (9:30 pm IST)
Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
79′ Romero scores! ARG 1-2 EGY
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.
78′
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.
76′
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.
73′
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.
67′ Ziko scores!
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.
66′
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.
64′
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.
63′
Hassam tries to set Ziko through with a grounded pass. But Argentina’s defence intercepts in time to get the ball back in control.
61′
Messi takes the free-kick, which is seen out to safety by Egypt. The chants and roars of Egypt fans continue to get louder.
July 07, 2026 22:52
FREE KICK
58′ Egypt’s goal disallowed!
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.
58′
Lionel Messi is probing and testing around the Argentina final third, now wandering around the right flank.
56′
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.
54′
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.
52′
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.
50′
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.
49′
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.
47′ Chance!
Messi crosses to his right to Rodrigo de Paul, who shoots on target, past the legs of Egyptian defenders. Shobeir makes a regulation save.
47′
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.
46′
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.
Second half begins!
Egypt makes a change after the break, with Hamdi Fathi coming on for Emam Ashour. Argentina, meanwhile, resumes unchanged in Atlanta.
Tell us your thoughts going into the second half
A Night to remember for Shobeir?
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.
July 07, 2026 22:23
HALFTIME
HT: Argentina 1-0 Egypt
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.
45+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.
44′
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.
41′
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.
39′ Chance for Argentina!
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!
38′
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.
37′
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.
33′
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.
31′ Messi hits the woodwork!
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.
28′ Chance! Shobeir makes another save
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.
27′
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.
24′
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.
21′ Messi’s penalty saved!
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.
19′
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!
18′
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.
15′ Goal! Egypt scores
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.
Yasser Ibrahim (in red) scores for Egypt in their FIFA World Cup round of 16 match against Argentina in Atlanta.
14′
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.
11′
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.
July 07, 2026 21:41
OFFSIDE
9′
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.
7′
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.
6′
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.
4′
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.
3′
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.
2′
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.
1′
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.
Kick Off!
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.
National anthems done and dusted!
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!
Minutes to kick-off!
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 vs Egypt head-to-head:
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
Stage is set!
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.
Fans inside the Atlanta stadium before the FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt on Tuesday.
Form guide: Egypt
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)
Words from Ground Zero
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.
Form guide: Argentina
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)
What’s in store and what has happened so far?
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:
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.
Egypt’s Mohamed Salah arrives at the stadium before the match against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The players have arrived!
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.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul arrive at the stadium before the match against Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026.
Three changes for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni makes three changes for Argentina from its previous line-up: Tagliafico for Medin., Paredes for Almada and Julián Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez.
Emi Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Messi and Julián Álvarez.
Salah vs Messi upcoming?
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 vs Egypt Predicted Line-ups
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.
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.
![LIVE SCORE — Argentina vs Egypt, FIFA World Cup round of 16: Ziko, Ibrahim score; Messi breaks Maradona record
ARG vs EGY – Lionel Messi missed a penalty, while Nasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko scored for Egypt as the Pharaohs lead 2-0 in Atlanta in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16. Follow live updates of the match here.
Updated : Jul 07, 2026 23:15 IST Mostafa Ziko celebrates his goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
Mostafa Ziko celebrates his goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of Argentina vs Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026 from the Atlanta Stadium in the USA. Lionel Messi saw his penalty kick saved while Yasser Ibrahim stunned the favourite — Argentina — with a goal from a set-piece, putting Egypt ahead.Mostafa Ziko then doubled the lead with a brilliant strike after the hour mark. Follow live updates of the match in real-time here on Sportstar.ARG vs EGY Highlights:15’ Goal! Egypt attacked through a set-piece, following the corner. Marwan Ateya sent in the cross and Yasser Ibrahim jumped in for a header and found the net!21’ Penalty save! Lionel Messi stepped up for the penalty kick. He went for his right and Mostafa Shobeir jumped correctly to his left and makes a save!
Mostafa Shoubeir make a save against a penalty by Lionel Messi of Argentina vs Egypt at Atlanta Stadium.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFPPre-match predictions?Follow real-time updates, line-ups, score, goals and highlights from the round of 16 match as the Albiceleste lock horns with Egypt. Confirmed line-ups: Argentina: Emi Martínez (GK); Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi (C), Julián Álvarez.Egypt: Mostafa Shobeir (GK); Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Ziko, Mohanad Lashin; Mohamed Salah (C), Haissem HassanMatch Overview:Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium), Atlanta, USAKick-off time: 12 noon, July 7 (9:30 pm IST)Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
79′ Romero scores! ARG 1-2 EGY
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.
78′
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.
76′
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.
73′
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.
67′ Ziko scores!
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.
66′
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.
64′
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.
63′
Hassam tries to set Ziko through with a grounded pass. But Argentina’s defence intercepts in time to get the ball back in control.
61′
Messi takes the free-kick, which is seen out to safety by Egypt. The chants and roars of Egypt fans continue to get louder.July 07, 2026 22:52FREE KICK
58′ Egypt’s goal disallowed!
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.
58′
Lionel Messi is probing and testing around the Argentina final third, now wandering around the right flank.
56′
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.
54′
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.
52′
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.
50′
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.
49′
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.
47′ Chance!
Messi crosses to his right to Rodrigo de Paul, who shoots on target, past the legs of Egyptian defenders. Shobeir makes a regulation save.
47′
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.
46′
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.
Second half begins!
Egypt makes a change after the break, with Hamdi Fathi coming on for Emam Ashour. Argentina, meanwhile, resumes unchanged in Atlanta.
Tell us your thoughts going into the second half
A Night to remember for Shobeir?
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.July 07, 2026 22:23HALFTIME
HT: Argentina 1-0 Egypt
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.
45+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.
44′
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.
41′
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.
39′ Chance for Argentina!
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!
38′
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.
37′
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.
33′
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.
31′ Messi hits the woodwork!
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.
28′ Chance! Shobeir makes another save
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.
27′
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.
24′
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.
21′ Messi’s penalty saved!
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.
19′
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!
18′
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.
15′ Goal! Egypt scores
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.Yasser Ibrahim (in red) scores for Egypt in their FIFA World Cup round of 16 match against Argentina in Atlanta.
14′
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.
11′
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.July 07, 2026 21:41OFFSIDE
9′
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.
7′
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.
6′
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.
4′
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.
3′
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.
2′
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.
1′
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.
Kick Off!
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.
National anthems done and dusted!
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!
Minutes to kick-off!
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 vs Egypt head-to-head:
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: 1Argentina: 1Draws: 0Egypt: 0
Stage is set!
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.Fans inside the Atlanta stadium before the FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt on Tuesday.
Form guide: Egypt
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)
Words from Ground Zero
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 EgyptArgentina 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.
Form guide: Argentina
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 WArgentina 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)
What’s in store and what has happened so far?
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]
The Egyptian King is at the venue!
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.Egypt’s Mohamed Salah arrives at the stadium before the match against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The players have arrived!
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.Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul arrive at the stadium before the match against Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026.
Three changes for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni makes three changes for Argentina from its previous line-up: Tagliafico for Medin., Paredes for Almada and Julián Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez.
Confirmed line-ups: Egypt
Mostafa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Ziko, Mohanad Lashin; Mohamed Salah, Haissem Hassan
Egypt has arrived in the stadium
Confirmed line-up: Argentina
Emi Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Messi and Julián Álvarez.
Salah vs Messi upcoming?
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 vs Egypt Predicted Line-ups
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
Match preview
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.Published on Jul 07, 2026 #LIVE #SCORE #Argentina #Egypt #FIFA #World #Cup #Ziko #Ibrahim #score #Messi #breaks #Maradona #record](https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/yjyg3i/article71195298.ece/alternates/LANDSCAPE_1200/2285089208.jpg "LIVE SCORE — Argentina vs Egypt, FIFA World Cup round of 16: Ziko, Ibrahim score; Messi breaks Maradona record
ARG vs EGY – Lionel Messi missed a penalty, while Nasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko scored for Egypt as the Pharaohs lead 2-0 in Atlanta in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16. Follow live updates of the match here.
Updated : Jul 07, 2026 23:15 IST Mostafa Ziko celebrates his goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
Mostafa Ziko celebrates his goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of Argentina vs Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026 from the Atlanta Stadium in the USA. Lionel Messi saw his penalty kick saved while Yasser Ibrahim stunned the favourite — Argentina — with a goal from a set-piece, putting Egypt ahead.Mostafa Ziko then doubled the lead with a brilliant strike after the hour mark. Follow live updates of the match in real-time here on Sportstar.ARG vs EGY Highlights:15’ Goal! Egypt attacked through a set-piece, following the corner. Marwan Ateya sent in the cross and Yasser Ibrahim jumped in for a header and found the net!21’ Penalty save! Lionel Messi stepped up for the penalty kick. He went for his right and Mostafa Shobeir jumped correctly to his left and makes a save!
Mostafa Shoubeir make a save against a penalty by Lionel Messi of Argentina vs Egypt at Atlanta Stadium.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFPPre-match predictions?Follow real-time updates, line-ups, score, goals and highlights from the round of 16 match as the Albiceleste lock horns with Egypt. Confirmed line-ups: Argentina: Emi Martínez (GK); Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi (C), Julián Álvarez.Egypt: Mostafa Shobeir (GK); Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Ziko, Mohanad Lashin; Mohamed Salah (C), Haissem HassanMatch Overview:Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium), Atlanta, USAKick-off time: 12 noon, July 7 (9:30 pm IST)Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
79′ Romero scores! ARG 1-2 EGY
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.
78′
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.
76′
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.
73′
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.
67′ Ziko scores!
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.
66′
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.
64′
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.
63′
Hassam tries to set Ziko through with a grounded pass. But Argentina’s defence intercepts in time to get the ball back in control.
61′
Messi takes the free-kick, which is seen out to safety by Egypt. The chants and roars of Egypt fans continue to get louder.July 07, 2026 22:52FREE KICK
58′ Egypt’s goal disallowed!
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.
58′
Lionel Messi is probing and testing around the Argentina final third, now wandering around the right flank.
56′
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.
54′
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.
52′
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.
50′
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.
49′
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.
47′ Chance!
Messi crosses to his right to Rodrigo de Paul, who shoots on target, past the legs of Egyptian defenders. Shobeir makes a regulation save.
47′
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.
46′
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.
Second half begins!
Egypt makes a change after the break, with Hamdi Fathi coming on for Emam Ashour. Argentina, meanwhile, resumes unchanged in Atlanta.
Tell us your thoughts going into the second half
A Night to remember for Shobeir?
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.July 07, 2026 22:23HALFTIME
HT: Argentina 1-0 Egypt
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.
45+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.
44′
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.
41′
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.
39′ Chance for Argentina!
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!
38′
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.
37′
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.
33′
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.
31′ Messi hits the woodwork!
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.
28′ Chance! Shobeir makes another save
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.
27′
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.
24′
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.
21′ Messi’s penalty saved!
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.
19′
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!
18′
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.
15′ Goal! Egypt scores
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.Yasser Ibrahim (in red) scores for Egypt in their FIFA World Cup round of 16 match against Argentina in Atlanta.
14′
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.
11′
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.July 07, 2026 21:41OFFSIDE
9′
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.
7′
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.
6′
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.
4′
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.
3′
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.
2′
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.
1′
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.
Kick Off!
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.
National anthems done and dusted!
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!
Minutes to kick-off!
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 vs Egypt head-to-head:
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: 1Argentina: 1Draws: 0Egypt: 0
Stage is set!
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.Fans inside the Atlanta stadium before the FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt on Tuesday.
Form guide: Egypt
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)
Words from Ground Zero
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 EgyptArgentina 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.
Form guide: Argentina
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 WArgentina 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)
What’s in store and what has happened so far?
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]
The Egyptian King is at the venue!
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.Egypt’s Mohamed Salah arrives at the stadium before the match against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The players have arrived!
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.Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul arrive at the stadium before the match against Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026.
Three changes for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni makes three changes for Argentina from its previous line-up: Tagliafico for Medin., Paredes for Almada and Julián Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez.
Confirmed line-ups: Egypt
Mostafa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Ziko, Mohanad Lashin; Mohamed Salah, Haissem Hassan
Egypt has arrived in the stadium
Confirmed line-up: Argentina
Emi Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Messi and Julián Álvarez.
Salah vs Messi upcoming?
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 vs Egypt Predicted Line-ups
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
Match preview
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.Published on Jul 07, 2026 #LIVE #SCORE #Argentina #Egypt #FIFA #World #Cup #Ziko #Ibrahim #score #Messi #breaks #Maradona #record")
![LIVE SCORE — Argentina vs Egypt, FIFA World Cup round of 16: Ziko, Ibrahim score; Messi breaks Maradona record
ARG vs EGY – Lionel Messi missed a penalty, while Nasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko scored for Egypt as the Pharaohs lead 2-0 in Atlanta in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16. Follow live updates of the match here.
Updated : Jul 07, 2026 23:15 IST Mostafa Ziko celebrates his goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
Mostafa Ziko celebrates his goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of Argentina vs Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026 from the Atlanta Stadium in the USA. Lionel Messi saw his penalty kick saved while Yasser Ibrahim stunned the favourite — Argentina — with a goal from a set-piece, putting Egypt ahead.Mostafa Ziko then doubled the lead with a brilliant strike after the hour mark. Follow live updates of the match in real-time here on Sportstar.ARG vs EGY Highlights:15’ Goal! Egypt attacked through a set-piece, following the corner. Marwan Ateya sent in the cross and Yasser Ibrahim jumped in for a header and found the net!21’ Penalty save! Lionel Messi stepped up for the penalty kick. He went for his right and Mostafa Shobeir jumped correctly to his left and makes a save!
Mostafa Shoubeir make a save against a penalty by Lionel Messi of Argentina vs Egypt at Atlanta Stadium.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFPPre-match predictions?Follow real-time updates, line-ups, score, goals and highlights from the round of 16 match as the Albiceleste lock horns with Egypt. Confirmed line-ups: Argentina: Emi Martínez (GK); Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi (C), Julián Álvarez.Egypt: Mostafa Shobeir (GK); Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Ziko, Mohanad Lashin; Mohamed Salah (C), Haissem HassanMatch Overview:Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium), Atlanta, USAKick-off time: 12 noon, July 7 (9:30 pm IST)Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
79′ Romero scores! ARG 1-2 EGY
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.
78′
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.
76′
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.
73′
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.
67′ Ziko scores!
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.
66′
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.
64′
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.
63′
Hassam tries to set Ziko through with a grounded pass. But Argentina’s defence intercepts in time to get the ball back in control.
61′
Messi takes the free-kick, which is seen out to safety by Egypt. The chants and roars of Egypt fans continue to get louder.July 07, 2026 22:52FREE KICK
58′ Egypt’s goal disallowed!
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.
58′
Lionel Messi is probing and testing around the Argentina final third, now wandering around the right flank.
56′
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.
54′
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.
52′
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.
50′
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.
49′
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.
47′ Chance!
Messi crosses to his right to Rodrigo de Paul, who shoots on target, past the legs of Egyptian defenders. Shobeir makes a regulation save.
47′
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.
46′
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.
Second half begins!
Egypt makes a change after the break, with Hamdi Fathi coming on for Emam Ashour. Argentina, meanwhile, resumes unchanged in Atlanta.
Tell us your thoughts going into the second half
A Night to remember for Shobeir?
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.July 07, 2026 22:23HALFTIME
HT: Argentina 1-0 Egypt
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.
45+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.
44′
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.
41′
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.
39′ Chance for Argentina!
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!
38′
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.
37′
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.
33′
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.
31′ Messi hits the woodwork!
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.
28′ Chance! Shobeir makes another save
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.
27′
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.
24′
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.
21′ Messi’s penalty saved!
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.
19′
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!
18′
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.
15′ Goal! Egypt scores
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.Yasser Ibrahim (in red) scores for Egypt in their FIFA World Cup round of 16 match against Argentina in Atlanta.
14′
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.
11′
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.July 07, 2026 21:41OFFSIDE
9′
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.
7′
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.
6′
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.
4′
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.
3′
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.
2′
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.
1′
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.
Kick Off!
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.
National anthems done and dusted!
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!
Minutes to kick-off!
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 vs Egypt head-to-head:
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: 1Argentina: 1Draws: 0Egypt: 0
Stage is set!
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.Fans inside the Atlanta stadium before the FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt on Tuesday.
Form guide: Egypt
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)
Words from Ground Zero
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 EgyptArgentina 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.
Form guide: Argentina
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 WArgentina 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)
What’s in store and what has happened so far?
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]
The Egyptian King is at the venue!
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.Egypt’s Mohamed Salah arrives at the stadium before the match against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The players have arrived!
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.Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul arrive at the stadium before the match against Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026.
Three changes for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni makes three changes for Argentina from its previous line-up: Tagliafico for Medin., Paredes for Almada and Julián Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez.
Confirmed line-ups: Egypt
Mostafa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Ziko, Mohanad Lashin; Mohamed Salah, Haissem Hassan
Egypt has arrived in the stadium
Confirmed line-up: Argentina
Emi Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Messi and Julián Álvarez.
Salah vs Messi upcoming?
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 vs Egypt Predicted Line-ups
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
Match preview
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.Published on Jul 07, 2026 #LIVE #SCORE #Argentina #Egypt #FIFA #World #Cup #Ziko #Ibrahim #score #Messi #breaks #Maradona #record](https://i2.wp.com/assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/ss-online/1x1_spacer.png?ssl=1 "LIVE SCORE — Argentina vs Egypt, FIFA World Cup round of 16: Ziko, Ibrahim score; Messi breaks Maradona record
ARG vs EGY – Lionel Messi missed a penalty, while Nasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko scored for Egypt as the Pharaohs lead 2-0 in Atlanta in the FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16. Follow live updates of the match here.
Updated : Jul 07, 2026 23:15 IST Mostafa Ziko celebrates his goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
Mostafa Ziko celebrates his goal during the World Cup round of 16 match between Egypt and Argentina in the FIFA World Cup.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images via AFP
elcome to Sportstar’s live coverage of Argentina vs Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026 from the Atlanta Stadium in the USA. Lionel Messi saw his penalty kick saved while Yasser Ibrahim stunned the favourite — Argentina — with a goal from a set-piece, putting Egypt ahead.Mostafa Ziko then doubled the lead with a brilliant strike after the hour mark. Follow live updates of the match in real-time here on Sportstar.ARG vs EGY Highlights:15’ Goal! Egypt attacked through a set-piece, following the corner. Marwan Ateya sent in the cross and Yasser Ibrahim jumped in for a header and found the net!21’ Penalty save! Lionel Messi stepped up for the penalty kick. He went for his right and Mostafa Shobeir jumped correctly to his left and makes a save!
Mostafa Shoubeir make a save against a penalty by Lionel Messi of Argentina vs Egypt at Atlanta Stadium.
| Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFPPre-match predictions?Follow real-time updates, line-ups, score, goals and highlights from the round of 16 match as the Albiceleste lock horns with Egypt. Confirmed line-ups: Argentina: Emi Martínez (GK); Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Lionel Messi (C), Julián Álvarez.Egypt: Mostafa Shobeir (GK); Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Ziko, Mohanad Lashin; Mohamed Salah (C), Haissem HassanMatch Overview:Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta Stadium), Atlanta, USAKick-off time: 12 noon, July 7 (9:30 pm IST)Referee: Francois Letexier (France)
79′ Romero scores! ARG 1-2 EGY
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.
78′
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.
76′
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.
73′
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.
67′ Ziko scores!
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.
66′
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.
64′
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.
63′
Hassam tries to set Ziko through with a grounded pass. But Argentina’s defence intercepts in time to get the ball back in control.
61′
Messi takes the free-kick, which is seen out to safety by Egypt. The chants and roars of Egypt fans continue to get louder.July 07, 2026 22:52FREE KICK
58′ Egypt’s goal disallowed!
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.
58′
Lionel Messi is probing and testing around the Argentina final third, now wandering around the right flank.
56′
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.
54′
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.
52′
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.
50′
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.
49′
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.
47′ Chance!
Messi crosses to his right to Rodrigo de Paul, who shoots on target, past the legs of Egyptian defenders. Shobeir makes a regulation save.
47′
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.
46′
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.
Second half begins!
Egypt makes a change after the break, with Hamdi Fathi coming on for Emam Ashour. Argentina, meanwhile, resumes unchanged in Atlanta.
Tell us your thoughts going into the second half
A Night to remember for Shobeir?
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.July 07, 2026 22:23HALFTIME
HT: Argentina 1-0 Egypt
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.
45+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.
44′
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.
41′
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.
39′ Chance for Argentina!
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!
38′
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.
37′
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.
33′
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.
31′ Messi hits the woodwork!
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.
28′ Chance! Shobeir makes another save
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.
27′
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.
24′
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.
21′ Messi’s penalty saved!
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.
19′
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!
18′
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.
15′ Goal! Egypt scores
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.Yasser Ibrahim (in red) scores for Egypt in their FIFA World Cup round of 16 match against Argentina in Atlanta.
14′
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.
11′
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.July 07, 2026 21:41OFFSIDE
9′
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.
7′
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.
6′
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.
4′
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.
3′
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.
2′
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.
1′
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.
Kick Off!
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.
National anthems done and dusted!
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!
Minutes to kick-off!
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 vs Egypt head-to-head:
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: 1Argentina: 1Draws: 0Egypt: 0
Stage is set!
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.Fans inside the Atlanta stadium before the FIFA World Cup round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt on Tuesday.
Form guide: Egypt
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)
Words from Ground Zero
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 EgyptArgentina 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.
Form guide: Argentina
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 WArgentina 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)
What’s in store and what has happened so far?
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]
The Egyptian King is at the venue!
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.Egypt’s Mohamed Salah arrives at the stadium before the match against Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The players have arrived!
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.Argentina’s Lionel Messi and Rodrigo De Paul arrive at the stadium before the match against Egypt in the round of 16 of FIFA World Cup 2026.
Three changes for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni makes three changes for Argentina from its previous line-up: Tagliafico for Medin., Paredes for Almada and Julián Álvarez for Lautaro Martínez.
Confirmed line-ups: Egypt
Mostafa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Ziko, Mohanad Lashin; Mohamed Salah, Haissem Hassan
Egypt has arrived in the stadium
Confirmed line-up: Argentina
Emi Martínez; Molina, Romero, Lisandro, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister; Messi and Julián Álvarez.
Salah vs Messi upcoming?
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 vs Egypt Predicted Line-ups
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
Match preview
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.Published on Jul 07, 2026 #LIVE #SCORE #Argentina #Egypt #FIFA #World #Cup #Ziko #Ibrahim #score #Messi #breaks #Maradona #record")
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