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:
Lionel Messi vs Cristiano Ronaldo? The debate was always absurd
Was there ever really a debate over Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo? Miguel Delaney doesn’t think so:
How Cristiano Ronaldo, Roberto Martinez and Portugal became the World Cup’s biggest disappointment
Elsewhere yesterday, it was the end of the World Cup story for Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal – Richard Jolly explains how Roberto Martinez’s mismanagement of the nation’s leading scorer was largely to blame for a disappointing tournament.
Belgium mock Donald Trump after knocking USA out of World Cup: ‘Overturn this’
Belgium seemed to enjoy their win over the USA – they are dancing on to Los Angeles for a meeting with Spain, and mocking Donald Trump on the way.
Gianni Infantino’s Trumpification of Fifa will have repercussions well beyond this stained World Cup
Of course, the wrong players getting sponsors’ prizes is hardly the most pressing issue of this World Cup. Events involving the White House, Donald Trump and the USA are rather more concerning. Miguel Delaney examines a sorry situation.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Jude Bellingham: How Fifa’s bewildering World Cup award has distorted reality
You may have noticed that a lot of big names appear to be picking up player of the match gongs at this World Cup. Alan Smith explains why – and why it is a problem:
The Mat Ryan gamble that failed spectacularly as Egypt beat Australia on penalties
Argentina may have needed extra time to get past Cape Verde, but Egypt went the distance against Australia, just about coming through a pretty tense penalty shootout as a Socceroos gamble backfired:
Lionel Messi explains how Argentina must improve after surviving Cape Verde shock
Lionel Messi was pretty strong on Argentina’s performance against Cape Verde, which fell short of the high standards they had set leading up to that stage.
How Argentina got here
It was a nervy night for Argentina as Cape Verde threatened to pull off perhaps the biggest shock in World Cup history. What a credit the debutants were to their nation and the tournament – but the defending champions just about survived.
Argentina vs Egypt
The quarter-final line-up is taking shape as the contenders are whittled down – who will fill the final two spots?
Argentina v Egypt LIVE
There are just two places to be filled in the World Cup quarter-finals, with Argentina and Egypt set to battle for one of them tonight in Atlanta. Each spearheaded by an ageing, left-footed and remarkable forward, the two sides overcame tense ties in the round of 32 to set up this encounter – will it be Lionel Messi or Mohamed Salah who continues on?
Kick off is at 5pm BST.
