Messi vs Salah: Egypt to Face Defending Champions Argentina in the World Cup Round of 16

4/7/2026
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By EgyScores
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Egypt's historic FIFA World Cup journey will continue with one of the biggest matches in the nation's football history after the Pharaohs were drawn against defending champions Argentina in the Round of 16.

Argentina booked their place with a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde, setting up a blockbuster showdown with Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday.

The match will also produce one of the most anticipated individual battles of the tournament, as Mohamed Salah and Lionel Messi prepare to face each other on the World Cup stage for the first time.

A Clash of Giants

The meeting brings together two of football's greatest stars and two nations enjoying memorable World Cup campaigns.

Argentina arrive as reigning world champions and one of the tournament favorites, while Egypt have already rewritten their own history by reaching the Round of 16 for the first time after eliminating Australia on penalties.

Messi vs Salah

For years, Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah have been among the biggest names in world football.

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Now, with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals at stake, the two icons are set to headline one of the tournament's most captivating encounters.

History on the Line

Egypt will enter the match full of confidence after remaining unbeaten throughout the tournament and producing the greatest World Cup run in the country's history.

A victory over Argentina would rank among the biggest upsets the World Cup has ever witnessed and send the Pharaohs into the quarter-finals for the first time.

For Argentina, meanwhile, the challenge is to keep their title defense alive against one of the tournament's biggest surprise packages.

Tuesday's showdown promises to be more than just a football match—it is a meeting between two footballing nations, two iconic captains, and a place in World Cup history.