Argentina vs Egypt: Can Salah pull off a shock or will Messi lead the champions onward again?
On paper, this is arguably one of the most predictable matchups of the Round of 16. But World Cups have shown time and again: being the favorite doesn’t guarantee victory. Argentina enter their clash with Egypt as reigning world champions, but no one is expecting an easy stroll here.
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Lionel Scaloni’s team cruised through the group stage, winning all three matches and topping their group. However, the first knockout round was anything but calm. Cape Verde unexpectedly gave the Argentines a real scare, and victory was only secured in extra time—3:2. The hero, once again, was Lionel Messi. Not only did he find the net, but in crucial moments, he led his team by example.
Egypt, meanwhile, have already become one of the tournament’s pleasant surprises. The African side advanced from their group as runners-up and showed real character in their Round of 32 match against Australia. Regulation and extra time ended 1-1, after which Egypt coolly converted all their penalties to book a spot in the next round. Such a result has undoubtedly boosted their confidence ahead of this showdown with one of the World Cup’s top favorites.
Of course, the main attraction here is the potential clash between two modern football legends: Lionel Messi versus Mohamed Salah. Yes, both are in the twilight of their glittering careers, but each is still capable of deciding a match in a single moment. It’s matchups like these that make the World Cup so beloved.
In terms of playing style, expect Argentina to dominate possession, aiming to break down Egypt’s compact defense with combination play and high pressing. Egypt, on the other hand, will likely rely on discipline, staying compact without the ball, and launching rapid counterattacks through Salah and his pacey teammates. That seems the most logical scenario.
It’s also worth noting that Argentina have already shown vulnerability at the back in this tournament: Cape Verde managed to score twice, which means Egypt will have their chances too. The real question is how effectively they can capitalize on them.
Heading into kickoff, Argentina are clear favorites. The depth of their squad, their big-match experience, and the individual brilliance of their stars all tip the scales in the champions’ favor. But Egypt have already proven they can be resilient, defend stubbornly, and wait for their moment. In knockout football, sometimes one decisive moment is all it takes to rewrite history.
My prediction: total goals under 2.5.
Probable lineups:
- Argentina: E. Martínez, Molina, S. Romero, L. Martínez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Mac Allister, E. Fernández, Almada, Messi, L. Martínez.
- Egypt: Shobeir, Rabia, Ibrahim, Fathi, Ghani, Attia, Lashin, Zizo, Salah, Ashour, Marmoush.
