Dugout Discussion
7 July 2026 245 comments
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Argentina and Egypt meet in the World Cup Round of 16, with a place in the quarter-finals on the line.

Lionel Scaloni’s men topped Group J but were given an almighty scare by Cape Verde last time out, ultimately winning 3-2 after extra time.

Egypt beat Australia on penalties to reach the Round of 16.

The winners of this clash will face Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals.

Kick-off at the Atlanta Stadium is at 17:00 BST.

TEAM NEWS

Argentina boss Scaloni has made three changes to his starting XI.

Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez come in for Facundo Medina, Thiago Almada and Lautaro Martinez.

As for Egypt, they make two alterations from the Round of 32.

Mohanad Lasheen and Haissem Hassan replace Hamdi Fathy and Omar Marmoush.

Seven Argentina players won’t qualify for the Scouting Bonus, including the benched Medina.

Salah sits just under the 5% threshold, however:

LINE-UPS

Argentina XI: E Martinez, Molina, Romero, Lis Martinez, Tagliafico, De Paul, Mac Allister, Paredes, Enzo, Messi, Alvarez

Subs: Musso, Rulli, Otamendi, Senesi, Montiel, Medina, Palacios, Almada, Barco, Lo Celso, Paz, Lau Martinez, Gonzalez, Lopez, Simeone

Egypt XI: Shobeir, Hany, Ibrahim, Rabia, Hafez, Ashour, Attia, Lasheen, Hassan, Salah, Zico

Subs: M Alaa, El-Shenawy, Soliman, T Alaa, Abdelmaguid, Fathy, Saber, Dunga, Marmoush, Zizo, Abdelkarim, Trezeguet, Adel


245 Comments Login to Post a Comment
  1. BeaversWithAttitude
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Wheel and come again! ZICO!

  2. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Great goal. Hope Argentina go out so we at least stop hearing silly corruption theories for Argentina for the rest of this wc. Messi already has his wc

    1. Qaiss
      • 10 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      Not exactly corruption but most other players would have been sent off for that foul Messi committed in the first match and you know that

      1. Nightcrawler
        • 7 Years
        1 month, 24 days ago

        I agree but big players and big teams often get lenient treatment on big occasions. Look at haven't just over a month ago in the Burnley game. Doesn't mean there is a conspiracy

        1. Nightcrawler
          • 7 Years
          1 month, 24 days ago

          Havertz vs burnley*

    2. EmreCan Hustle
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      Corruption might be a strong word, but a general degradation of ethics.

  3. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    This is going to be some finish

  4. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Is there an Egyptian Dan Burn they can bring on?

  5. bso
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Oh boy, I have 3 ARG players and they are going out.
    I am so dead.

    1. Travel Notes
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      Three Argentina, Three Brazil and only four transfers.

    2. Gizzachance
      • 11 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      2 for me, 2 Brazil, crepey, dest,Sabari injured

  6. Gizzachance
    • 11 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Cs sheild not worked, 2 cs hakimi, cucu, all others so far conceded 2 or more, only Vargas to go now, wished I’d saved !

  7. Travel Notes
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Morocco - Egypt final?

  8. Football is home
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Imagine planning for CR7 vs Messi final...

    1. PartyTime
      • 5 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      Rest in peace said no one ever! 😉

  9. The Florentine assassin
    • 3 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Great ball but bad finish

  10. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Messi assist

  11. Travel Notes
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Messi Assist for Romers.

    Eleven minutes to go.

  12. EmreCan Hustle
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    If Egypt hold Argentina for another 15 minutes, it'll be a miracle.

  13. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Insane from messi

    Hopefully Egypt hold on but hard to see it

  14. EmreCan Hustle
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Messi, of course

  15. THE Wild Rover
    • 16 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    The cream rises

  16. Travel Notes
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    There it is... Messi makes ir Two a piece.

  17. Moon Dog
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 24 days ago

    How is Messi this good at 39...

  18. Nightcrawler
    • 7 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Messi again

    Haters can cry again too lol

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      Guess I see why you commented on every comment that was against that Egypt disallowed goal.

      Wasn't even about hate from me... don't like Argentina because of Infantino and what happened during 98.

  19. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Crazy goal by Messi, shame wanted Egypt to go through

  20. Travel Notes
    • 4 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Shows Harry Kane how to do it.

    1. keefy59
      • Fantasy Football Scout Member
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      Harry could give him some advice on taking penalties though

  21. PartyTime
    • 5 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Even Jesus Christ can't score goals like Messi does

    1. Travel Notes
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      Messi the Messiah

      1. PartyTime
        • 5 Years
        1 month, 24 days ago

        He has risen

  22. Bobby Digital
    • 9 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Phew... was afraid I had to captain Luiz Diaz.

    1. JBG
      • 8 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      Vargas for me haha, not sure he's going to start even

    2. Travel Notes
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      Manzambi anyone?

      1. FOREST FOREVER 2
        • 1 Year
        1 month, 24 days ago

        have him and Munoz for the last R16 game,
        Heard rumors of Manzambi have injured himself in training.
        Not goihg to change captaincy anyway.

  23. FOREST FOREVER 2
    • 1 Year
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Switched captaincy from Dest to Messi.
    I think I am a genius.

  24. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Somehow I have Yasser Ibrahim with 10pts in my team…only brought in as filer, currently third highest points in the team lol

  25. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Why Salah? Why that poor touch?

  26. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    So open now, everyone blowing…

    1. Jafooli
      • 14 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      …reads like a ‘That’s what she said’…meant the players are knackered

    2. Travel Notes
      • 4 Years
      1 month, 24 days ago

      No-one wants extra-time and penalties.

      Argentina 3-2

  27. Revival
    • Fantasy Football Scout Member
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Messi has scored 154 goals for club and country since celebrating his 35th Birthday on June 24, 2022

  28. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Crazy... such a shame -_-

  29. Jafooli
    • 14 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    Wowzer….blast off…

  30. JBG
    • 8 Years
    1 month, 24 days ago

    That pen situation would've been given if it was for Argentina... no doubt in my mind