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:
Argentina fans heavily outnumber Egypt in Atlanta
The crowd at the Mercedes-Benz is almost 100 per cent Argentine, and they are making their voice heard in the way only they can.
Their travelling support has been among the great stories of the last four World Cups, and it’s similar here.
There has of course been one conspicuous song ahead of a prospective semi-final with England: “He who doesn’t jump is English”
Argentina vs Egypt
It’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?
You 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
This 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’
Hossam 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.”
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Team news – Egypt
In 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
It 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.