For the Pharaohs, this qualification has a special flavor. Egypt had not reached the knockout stage of a World Cup since 1934. After finishing second in their group, Hossam Hassan's team secured their ticket to the round of 16 in a penalty shootout against Australia, achieving at the same time their very first win in a World Cup knockout match in history.
Egypt arrives carried by the desire to surprise, with only one defeat in their last eight matches. A victory against Argentina would make Egypt the fifth African nation to reach the quarterfinals of a World Cup, giving this encounter a dimension that goes beyond just a sporting result for an entire continent.
On the squad front, Hossam Hassan welcomes back Mohanad Lasheen, returning from suspension, but will likely have to manage without his center-back Mohamed Abdelmonem nor his first-choice left-back Ahmed Fatouh, both of whom are absent. Up front, Mohamed Salah, partnered with Omar Marmoush, Emam Ashour, and Mostafa Ziko, will bear most of Egypt's attacking hopes.
Argentina, favorite but not invincible
The defending champions long seemed unbeatable in this tournament: a perfect group stage, nine points out of nine, eight goals scored. But the previous round revealed some weaknesses. Against Cape Verde, Argentina had to fight into extra time to clinch qualification (3-2), after a spectacular comeback by the Cape Verdean underdog.
Even so, the Albiceleste maintains an impressive record: 10 victories in their last 12 World Cup matches that went beyond 90 minutes. Lionel Scaloni will nevertheless need to fix the defensive lapses seen against Cape Verde if he wants to avoid nasty surprises against an Egypt side that has never kept a clean sheet in this World Cup, but which also knows how to make their opponents doubt.
Messi, the story that keeps unfolding
At 39, Lionel Messi continues to write his legend. Top goalscorer in World Cup history (20), joint top scorer at this edition (7), he aims to become only the sixth player to score in his team’s first five games in a single edition of the tournament. He is already the first player to have scored seven goals in two different World Cups. Yet another feat to add to an already staggering list of records.
Facing him will be Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian forward leads the ranking of creative players, with sixteen chances created for his teammates. A facilitator’s role rather than a finisher’s so far, but that could change against an Argentine defense put under pressure in the previous round.
One point to watch on the Egyptian side: Salah played the entire extra time against Australia despite a thigh discomfort, raising questions about his freshness only three days later.
Only one previous meeting, in 2008
Argentina and Egypt have met only once in history, during a friendly played in Cairo in March 2008 and won 2-0 by the Albiceleste. This round of 16 will therefore be their very first official contest, and their first in a World Cup match—adding to the exceptional nature of the encounter.
Writing history
On paper, Argentina is the favorite: a deeper squad, experience at the highest level, and a still-decisive Messi. But football is full of improbable stories, and this 2026 World Cup has not lacked surprises so far. For all of Africa, Mohamed Salah’s Egypt carries the hope of toppling the reigning world champion and opening the door to a quarterfinal clash with either Switzerland or Colombia.
See you this Tuesday for a clash that already promises to be one of the highlights of these round of 16 matches.
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À propos de l'auteur
Oumar WANE
Rédacteur sportif
Passionné de sport depuis toujours, partage avec vous les dernières actualités et analyses du monde sportif.