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FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Live: Scaloni warns argentina against complacency
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni has made it clear that his players cannot afford to underestimate Egypt despite entering the match as defending champions. Argentina were pushed to the limit by Cape Verde in the previous round and needed extra time before finally winning 3-2 through a late own goal. That experience has left Scaloni cautious ahead of another knockout test. "I think this World Cup has been, is very tricky for everyone. It seems there is no clear favorite," Scaloni said Monday. "I am convinced that if we didn’t resort to our character in the last match we would be out as Cape Verde was giving us a very hard day." With Germany and Brazil already eliminated by underdogs, Argentina know another lapse in concentration could bring their title defence to an early end.
Argentina vs Egypt Live: Salah leads Egypt into historic knockout battle
Mohamed Salah has already helped Egypt achieve something the country had never done before at a FIFA World Cup. The Pharaohs claimed their first-ever World Cup victory by defeating New Zealand 3-1 during the group stage before earning their first knockout-stage success through a penalty shootout win over Australia following a 1-1 draw.
Salah remains the face of Egyptian football, having won the Premier League Golden Boot four times while becoming the league's highest-scoring foreign-born player. The 34-year-old has scored three World Cup goals, only one behind Egypt coach Hossam Hassan's national team record of 69 international goals. Now Salah faces perhaps his biggest international challenge yet against defending champions Argentina, knowing another upset would take Egypt into the quarter-finals for the first time.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Live: Messi's remarkable run continues at world cup
Lionel Messi continues to prove why he remains one of football's greatest players. At 39 years of age, the Argentina captain has scored seven goals in four matches at this World Cup, putting him level with Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
Messi has also scored in a record eight consecutive World Cup matches, stretching back to Argentina's successful title run in 2022. His World Cup goal tally now stands at 20, another record he continues to build upon. Four years after completing his trophy collection by winning the World Cup in Qatar, Messi is once again carrying Argentina deep into the tournament. Against Egypt, he will look to keep both his team's title defence and his extraordinary scoring streak alive in what could be another memorable chapter of his international career.
FIFA World Cup Round of 16 Live: Defending champions Argentina chase quarterfinal spot against Egypt
Argentina return to familiar territory as they look to book another place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals. The reigning champions topped Group K with three straight wins before surviving a major scare in the Round of 32. Debutants Cape Verde pushed Lionel Scaloni's side all the way into extra time before a late own goal helped Argentina escape with a 3-2 victory.
Egypt's route has been equally dramatic. The Pharaohs reached the knockout stage for the first time after recording their first-ever World Cup win during the group stage and then defeating Australia 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Neither team has lost a match in this tournament so far.
Argentina vs Egypt Live: Messi, Salah set for showdown
One of the biggest matches of the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 takes place in Atlanta as Lionel Messi's Argentina face Mohamed Salah's Egypt. Two of the biggest names in world football now stand on opposite sides, knowing only one can keep the World Cup dream alive.
Messi, who guided Argentina to the title four years ago, continues to add to his remarkable legacy at the age of 39. Salah, meanwhile, has already led Egypt to their deepest-ever World Cup run and now has another chance to create history.
Neither player has confirmed whether this will be their final World Cup or whether they will continue with their national teams after the tournament. That uncertainty only adds more emotion to this contest. One icon will move into the quarter-finals, while the other could be walking away from football's biggest stage for the final time.
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