Lionel Messi has scored in eight consecutive World Cup matches
Egypt won their first-ever World Cup knockout match against Australia in last-32
Recommended bet: Lionel Messi to score anytime @ 7/10 with LiveScore Bet
Score prediction: Argentina 3–1 Egypt
Argentina stumbled through to the last 16 after a 3-2 extra-time victory over tournament debutants Cape Verde.
The defending champions looked to be on their way to a comfortable win thanks to Lionel Messi’s superb opener, but Cape Verde fought back and gave the South American giants a serious fright.
Egypt were also ran close by Australia. Both nations were seeking their first knockout victory at the World Cup but in the end, it was the Egyptians who prevailed after a tense penalty shootout.
Date, kick-off time, stadium, competition
Tuesday, 7th July, 5pm at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta – World Cup Round of 16
Where to Watch
ITV 1, STV, STV Player & ITVX
Outright Odds
More market odds and predictions
Recommended bet | Stat |
|---|---|
Lionel Messi to score anytime | The 39-year-old has scored in eight successive World Cup matches |
Argentina to win | Lionel Scaloni’s men have won 10 and drawn one of their previous 11 matches |
Emam Ashour over 0.5 shots on target | Ashour has scored twice at the Word Cup so far |
Over 2.5 goals | Three of Argentina’s four matches have finished with three or more goals |
Karim Hafez to commit over 1.5 fouls | Hafez averages 1.5 tackles per-match and he will come up against Messi |
Argentina may have needed extra-time to see off plucky Cape Verde, but it might have been a different outcome had Messi not scored a stunning goal in the first half.
Scaloni’s talisman controlled a wonderful pass from Lisandro Martinez deep into the opposition penalty area with his left foot, before lashing the ball home for the opener.
It was reminiscent of Dennis Bergkamp’s famous effort against Argentina at France '98, and it meant Messi had scored for an eighth consecutive World Cup match.
He managed six shots on target against the Africans and was unlucky not to add to his goal tally.
While the team as a whole will have to improve in order to see off Egypt, Messi to score anytime is a good option ahead of this match.
Being taken to extra-time might just be the shock that wakes Argentina up. Scaloni’s men eased through the group stage without being tested and, at times against Cape Verde, they had their backs to the wall as the minnows caused them a lot more trouble than expected.
Egypt will prove to be stubborn opponents, too, having not lost at the tournament so far — drawing three times and winning once.
Prior to the clash with Cape Verde ending 1-1 after normal time, Argentina had won their previous 10 matches, dating back to September 2025.
La Albiceleste should prove to be too much for the Egyptians in Atlanta.
Emam Ashour scored his second goal of the tournament in the clash against Australia and he has looked dangerous throughout.
The midfielder averages 0.5 shots on target per-game and he is a solid option to register at least one shot on target against the Argentinians.
Three of Argentina’s four matches have ended up with three or more goals being scored, while Egypt have found the back of the net in each match of the tournament so far.
Although Scaloni’s side struggled during stretches against Cape Verde, Messi and co will be determined to deliver a statement of intent in this intriguing last-16 clash.
Throughout the tournament so far, Karim Hafez averages 1.5 tackles per-game. He will come up against the likes of Messi, Lautaro Martinez and Thiago Almada in this clash, however, meaning he will be severely tested.
Expect him to get frustrated as the game goes on and this could see him commit several fouls.
Team news
Scaloni has a few concerns with Nico Gonzalez a doubt due to an ankle issue. Elsewhere, Facundo Medina is also in a fitness battle after being subbed off because of an injury issue against Cape Verde.
Egypt will definitely be without the services of Ahmed Fatouh and Mohamed Abdelmonem, with both players out due to injury issues.
Predicted Team Line-Ups:
Argentina (4-4-2): Emiliano Martinez; Nahuel Molina, Lisandro Martinez, Cristian Romero, Nicolas Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, Thiago Almada; Lautaro Martinez, Lionel Messi.
Egypt (4-2-3-1): Mostafa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Hamdy Fathy, Yasser Ibrahim, Karim Hafez; Marwan Attia, Mohanad Lasheen; Emam Ashour, Mohamed Salah, Mostafa Ziko; Omar Marmoush.
Stats
Egypt and Argentina have never met in a competitive international fixture before.
Lionel Messi has now scored eight successive World Cup matches for Argentina
Argentina have suffered just one defeat to African opposition at the World Cup (Cameroon in 1990)
Egypt are playing in their first last 16 match at the World Cup
Emam Ashour is Egypt’s leading scorer at the tournament with two goals
Both teams have scored in Argentina’s last two matches
Score prediction: Argentina 3–1 Egypt
The latest Argentina vs Egypt odds are available on LiveScore Bet
