Argentina and Egypt are set to face each other in the Round of 16 at the 2026 World Cup, with Argentina boasting a perfect record against the African nation. Historically, Argentina has won both encounters, scoring a total of 8 goals while keeping a clean sheet. The last meeting took place in 2008, where Argentina secured a 2-0 victory in a friendly match in Cairo, with goals from Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Burdisso.

As the teams prepare for this crucial match at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Argentina enters with confidence, having topped their group after defeating Algeria, Austria, and Jordan. However, their previous knockout match against Cape Verde served as a reminder that they needed extra time to advance, highlighting potential vulnerabilities in their defense.

On the other hand, Egypt has made a remarkable journey to the knockout stage, achieving their first win in World Cup knockout history by overcoming Australia in a penalty shootout. The team's resilience, disciplined defense, and the presence of star player Mohamed Salah offer them a fighting chance against the more experienced Argentine squad.

Team Analysis

Argentina is expected to field their strongest lineup, with coach Lionel Scaloni likely sticking to a familiar formation featuring Emiliano Martinez in goal, supported by a solid defensive line including Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez. The midfield trio of Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernandez, and Alexis Mac Allister will be crucial, while Lionel Messi and Lautaro Martinez are anticipated to lead the attack.

Egypt faces some injury concerns, particularly with Ahmed Fatouh and Mohamed Abdelmonem possibly sidelined. Nevertheless, Mohamed Salah remains their key player, supported by Omar Marmoush, Emam Ashour, and Mostafa Zico for counter-attacks.

Match Predictions

Given Argentina's superior quality and experience, they are favored to control the match. Messi, along with his teammates, is expected to create significant challenges for Egypt's defense. However, if Egypt can maintain a tight defensive structure and capitalize on counter-attacking opportunities, they could pose a threat to Argentina's aspirations.

The match is likely to feature multiple goals, with predictions suggesting at least three. Corner kicks may range from 8 to 10, and yellow cards could be issued between 3 to 5 times. A possible scoreline could be Argentina 3, Egypt 1.