Argentina and Egypt battle for the penultimate spot in the World Cup quarter-finals as two national icons clash in Atlanta.
For Lionel Messi, it has been another tournament to remember with the Argentina captain top of the scoring charts both this year and overall. His side’s last outing was not, perhaps, the comfortable progression that most expected, though, with Cape Verde showing a few flaws in the defending champions’ system to threaten to cause one of the great World Cup shocks.
Onwards, though, Argentina go into this round of 16 encounter with Egypt and Mohamed Salah. A tight affair against Australia was eventually settled in a shootout to leave history within reach – never before have Egypt reached the last eight of the World Cup. Can Salah lead them there and upset the holders? Or will Argentina’s own ageing, left-footed talisman steer his side to more success?
Follow all of the latest from Atlanta with our World Cup live blog below:
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Argentina vs Egypt LIVE
- Argentina face Egypt in World Cup round of 16 | Live on ITV with kick off at 5pm BST
- Defending champions survived scare against Cape Verde to set up this clash
- Egypt prevailed on penalties against Australia
- Lionel Messi chasing more World Cup success having scored in last eight tournament games
- TEAM NEWS: Argentina bring in Alvarez; Egypt leave Marmoush on bench
- Argentina XI: Argentina XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi, Alvarez
- Egypt XI: Shobeir; Hany, Hafez, Ibrahim, Rabia; Ashour, Lasheen, Ateya, Ziko; Salah, Hassan
Argentina vs Egypt
16:50 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt’s a first game of the tournament in Atlanta for both of these two teams, though the winner could be back here for a semi-final in eight days’ time. Remember, it’ll be Colombia or Switzerland in the last eight – an all South American clash could be fun after a tense Copa America final a couple of years back, though that is definitely getting ahead of ourselves.
What twists and turns do we have in store today? Kick off is 10 minutes away.
A chance to make a statement?
16:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleYou wouldn’t necessarily say that any of the remaining World Cup contenders have really produced a statement performance in the round of 16. Morocco were very good against a limited Canada side; England impressed with their fight and fervour against Mexico; France kept their cool in the face of Paraguay’s approach; and Belgium put away the USA impressively last night – but the chance to declare ones intentions and really catch the eye is available to Argentina or Egypt here.
Argentina vs Egypt
16:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleThis is only the second recorded meeting between these two sides, with a friendly win for Argentina in Cairo in 2008 now a distant memory. Lionel Messi, if you are wondering, wasn’t involved that day – Sergio Aguero started up front and scored the opener in a 2-0 victory.
Egypt’s lack of World Cup success has always been slightly curious given the trophies they’ve won at the Africa Cup of Nations. This feels a massive day for them – Cape Verde showed that you can both frustrate and trouble the defending champions.
Egypt boss insists his team are 'no underdogs'
16:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleHossam Hassan has drawn on the long and rich history of Egyptian civilization (sure) in insisting that his side are not underdogs against Argentina.
“My dreams have no limits. My ambitions have no limits. I promise that we will do everything to live up to the expectations (of fans),” Egypt boss Hassan said. “We’re no underdogs. We’re big in every respect. We are a civilization that is 7,000 years old, even more than 7,000 years.
“We know we are playing against the World Cup holders and one of the greatest players ever (Messi), but we do not fear them.
"We have a responsibility towards Egypt and the Arab world and Africa. We represent all of them. That responsibility makes us focus on ourselves and on what we can produce on the field.”
World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Mbappe v Messi v Haaland standings as Kane joins thrilling race to finish top scorer
16:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe chase for the Golden Boot is hotting up – here are the latest tournament standings:
World Cup 2026 Golden Boot: Mbappe v Messi v Haaland standings as Kane joins race
‘I was at Mexico ‘86 – you could sense the history’: Meet the photographer who took most-liked Instagram photo ever
16:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleRemember that photo of Lionel Messi basking in World Cup glory following the final of the 2022 World Cup? Kieran Jackson went to meet the snapper who took it.
Meet the World Cup photographer who took the most-liked Instagram photo ever
Team news – Egypt
15:46 , Harry Latham-CoyleIn a bit of shock, Omar Marmoush is dropped to the bench by Egypt.
Egypt XI: Shobeir; Hany, Hafez, Ibrahim, Rabia; Ashour, Lasheen, Ateya, Ziko; Salah, Hassan.
Team news – Argentina
15:43 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt looks like a switch of system from Argentina, with Julian Alvarez in alongside Lionel Messi up top and Leandro Paredes into midfield.
Argentina XI: E Martinez; Molina, Romero, Li Martinez, Tagliafico; De Paul, Paredes, Mac Allister, Fernandez; Messi, Alvarez.
Team news on the way...
15:40 , Harry Latham-CoyleWe should have team news in Atlanta shortly. Will Lionel Scaloni consider bringing in Julian Alvarez to his forward line?
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo? The debate was always absurd
15:30 , Harry Latham-CoyleWas there ever really a debate over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Miguel Delaney doesn’t think so:
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo? The debate was always absurd
How Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Martinez and Portugal became the World Cup’s biggest disappointment
15:20 , Harry Latham-CoyleElsewhere yesterday, it was the end of the World Cup story for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal – Richard Jolly explains how Roberto Martinez’s mismanagement of the nation’s leading scorer was largely to blame for a disappointing tournament.
How Ronaldo, Martinez and Portugal became the World Cup’s biggest disappointment
Belgium mock Donald Trump after knocking USA out of World Cup: ‘Overturn this’
15:10 , Harry Latham-CoyleBelgium seemed to enjoy their win over the USA – they are dancing on to Los Angeles for a meeting with Spain, and mocking Donald Trump on the way.
Belgium mock Trump after knocking USA out of World Cup: ‘Overturn this’
Gianni Infantino’s Trumpification of Fifa will have repercussions well beyond this stained World Cup
15:00 , Harry Latham-CoyleOf course, the wrong players getting sponsors’ prizes is hardly the most pressing issue of this World Cup. Events involving the White House, Donald Trump and the USA are rather more concerning. Miguel Delaney examines a sorry situation.
Gianni Infantino’s Trumpification of the World Cup only leads to one thing
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham: How Fifa’s bewildering World Cup award has distorted reality
14:45 , Harry Latham-CoyleYou may have noticed that a lot of big names appear to be picking up player of the match gongs at this World Cup. Alan Smith explains why – and why it is a problem:
How Fifa’s bewildering World Cup award has distorted football reality
The Mat Ryan gamble that failed spectacularly as Egypt beat Australia on penalties
14:35 , Harry Latham-CoyleArgentina may have needed extra time to get past Cape Verde, but Egypt went the distance against Australia, just about coming through a pretty tense penalty shootout as a Socceroos gamble backfired:
The Mat Ryan gamble that failed spectacularly as Egypt beat Australia on penalties
Lionel Messi explains how Argentina must improve after surviving Cape Verde shock
14:25 , Harry Latham-CoyleLionel Messi was pretty strong on Argentina’s performance against Cape Verde, which fell short of the high standards they had set leading up to that stage.
Lionel Messi explains how Argentina must improve after surviving Cape Verde shock
How Argentina got here
14:15 , Harry Latham-CoyleIt was a nervy night for Argentina as Cape Verde threatened to pull off perhaps the biggest shock in World Cup history. What a credit the debutants were to their nation and the tournament – but the defending champions just about survived.
How Cape Verde immortalised themselves in valiant World Cup exit to Argentina
Argentina vs Egypt
14:05 , Harry Latham-CoyleThe quarter-final line-up is taking shape as the contenders are whittled down – who will fill the final two spots?
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Argentina v Egypt LIVE
11:29 , Harry Latham-CoyleThere are just two places to be filled in the World Cup quarter-finals, with Argentina and Egypt set to battle for one of them tonight in Atlanta. Each spearheaded by an ageing, left-footed and remarkable forward, the two sides overcame tense ties in the round of 32 to set up this encounter – will it be Lionel Messi or Mohamed Salah who continues on?
Kick off is at 5pm BST.
