Leandro Paredes loses possession in Egypt's half as Mohamed Salah won the ball back with an opportunistic tackle, but the referee calls it a foul! Huge relief for Argentina as Salah would've been clean through otherwise. 

52' ARG 0-1 EGY

We are back! The second half is underway at the Atlanta Stadium, in the Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt. Argentina, the reigning champions, need to score to stay alive in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Egypt 45 minutes away from their first-ever quarter-final. Here we go!

46' ARG 0-1 EGY

Going down in a World Cup match is something that Argentina has not been used to recently. Since losing to Saudi Arabia in the group stage of the 2022 edition, this is the first time that Argentina have gone behind in a World Cup game. Argentina certainly possess the talent to turn this around, but will they be able to match an Egypt side's desire as they eye a first-ever quarter-final? The second half coming up shortly.

HALF TIME! Egypt lead Argentina at the break. Yasser Ibrahim gave Egypt the lead in the 15th minute, but the first half became more and more dramatic as Lionel Messi missed a penalty and then hit the post from a free-kick. Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir made two more incredible saves, and therefore, Argentina have still not managed to score their first goal.

HT | ARG 0-1 EGY

Five minutes of stoppage time to end the first half. Can Argentina find the equalizer? They've created so many chances since Egypt took the lead, but somehow the goal has evaded them. Mostafa Shobeir has five more minutes to survive, as of now.

45 1' ARG 0-1 EGY

Another fantastic save! Mostafa Shobeir makes yet another incredible save, this time he denies Julian Alvarez! Lovely pass from Tagliafico to Alvarez in the box, who shoots it low towards goal. But Shobeir makes a scintillating save with his outstretched left hand. 

40' ARG 0-1 EGY

Lionel Messi cuts inside and slams another shot from the edge of the Egypt box, but it takes a deflection and goes well over the bar. It just hasn't been the game for Argentina's No. 10 so far, despite multiple opportunities.

38' ARG 0-1 EGY

Lionel Messi's free-kick hits the post! Alexis Mac Allister wins the foul 30 yards away from goal, Messi takes a curling free-kick at the Egypt goal, but it hits the post and goes out! Mostafa Shobeir had made a good dive again, but he didn't need to make the save as Messi's attempt slammed the post.

32' ARG 0-1 EGY

What a save! Mostafa Shobeir makes an excellent save to deny Alexis Mac Allister's header! Brilliant cross by de Paul, Mac Allister hit a powerful header, but it went straight at the goalkeeper. A little sideways and Argentina would've been level.

28' ARG 0-1 EGY

Penalty to Argentina, but Lionel Messi MISSES! Nicolas Tagliafico wins a penalty after being fouled in the box, but Lionel Messi blows a golden chance from the penalty spot. He shoots towards the right, but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir makes a sensational diving save! This is Messi's second penalty miss of FIFA World Cup 2026.

21' ARG 0-1 EGY

GOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLL! Egypt take the lead against Argentina! Can you believe it? A cross from the right by Attia, and it's centre-back Yasser Ibrahim who towers over the Argentina defence and heads it in! Lionel Messi has a frown on his face, he looks visibly displeased. 

15' ARG 0-1 EGY

Enzo Fernandez finds Rodrigo de Paul on the right with a throughball, de Paul squares it but the man in the box sends it wide of goal from a few yards out! Fortunately for Argentina, the linesman flags it for offside. Replays show that de Paul was miles offside in the build-up.

10' ARG 0-0 EGY

Egypt are going toe-to-toe with Argentina in the opening stages, and are enjoying a nice spell of possession. Emam Ashour tries to make a driving run through the left wing, but Argentina double up on him and denied him the opening. Moments later, Tagliafico makes a foul on the other flank, and Egypt have a free-kick. 

A dangerous ball swung in from the set-piece but it goes beyond any Egypt man in the box.

7' ARG 0-0 EGY 

Lionel Messi involved in an Argentina attack for the first time in the third minute. He receives the ball on the edge of the box, looks to find Tagliafico on the left wing with a chipped throughball, but ends up overhitting the pass. 

3' ARG 0-0 EGY

WE ARE LIVE! KICKOFF in the match between Argentina and Egypt, the penultimate Round of 16 game at FIFA World Cup 2026. The defending champions get us rolling, they're attacking from left to right. Smoke bombs in the stadium cover the air, the hype is here!

1' ARG 0-0 EGY

The players enter a packed-out Atlanta Stadium. Lionel Messi leads Argentina out onto the field, Mohamed Salah leads the Egypt group. Time for the national anthems. Live action shortly, stay tuned!

The winner of the Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt will face either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals of FIFA World Cup 2026. Switzerland and Colombia face off in their Round of 16 clash after the end of the Argentina-Egypt match.

After that, Norway or England will the opponent in the potential semi-final. One of France, Morocco, Spain or Belgium could be the potential final opponent.

We are just about 20 minutes away from kickoff at the Atlanta Stadium, in the match between Argentina and Egypt. With Brazil out, Argentina will become the first South American nation to qualify for the quarter-finals if they win today. On the other hand, Egypt are hoping to join Morocco as African sides to make it to the last eight.

The decision by Lionel Scaloni to bring in defensive midfielder Leandro Paredes instead of winger Thiago Almada means that Argentina are looking for more solidity in midfield. Argentina are going with four central midfielders, with Rodrigo de Paul and Alexis Mac Allister likely to be the slightly wider CMs.

The Lionel Messi-Julian Alvarez duo is set to take centre stage against Egypt. Messi and Alvarez worked brilliantly together when Argentina lifted the World Cup in 2022, and Scaloni has turned to the same duo again as the World Cup enters the crunch stage. Lautaro Martinez started Argentina's first four games of World Cup 2026, but he has been benched today.

Lionel Messi is one goal away from tying the record of the most goals by an Argentina player in a single FIFA World Cup, and two goals away from making the record all his own. The record is currently held by Guillermo Stabile, who scored eight goals in the 1930 World Cup, 96 years ago. Messi has seven so far in the 2026 edition, and he also netted seven in 2022.

Argentina XI vs Egypt: Here's the Argentina starting XI to take on Egypt in the Round of 16 match today. The three reported changes have been confirmed. Julian Alvarez will partner Lionel Messi in attack, Leandro Paredes comes in central midfield, and Nicolas Tagliafico starts at left-back.

#FIFAWorldCup

Once inicial confirmado!

Asi formara #Argentina para el duelo ante #Egipto

#TodosJuntos por un mismo sueno pic.twitter.com/VIR5uK0uap

— Seleccion Argentina (@Argentina) July 7, 2026

Argentina are officially yet to release their starting lineup on social media, but according to reports, manager Lionel Scaloni has made three big changes to Argentina's starting XI. The big switch is at striker: Lautaro Martinez is OUT, Julian Alvarez is IN. One change each in midfield and defence too, with Thiago Almada and Facundo Medina going out, and being replaced by Leandro Paredes and Nicolas Tagliafico.

Egypt already achieved a historic feat with their Round of 32 win over Australia, as they progressed past the first knockout round in a World Cup for the very first time. Today, if they beat Argentina, not only will it be the biggest upset of the World Cup, but Egypt will also advance to the quarter-finals of the World Cup for the very first time.

Egypt XI vs Argentina: Here's the Egypt starting XI to take on Argentina in the Round of 16 match today. Mohamed Salah starts in attack, but surprisingly, Manchester City forward Omar Marmoush is not in the starting lineup!

Our Starting XI against Argentina in the round of 16 #egyptnt#FIFAWORLDCUP pic.twitter.com/PGIZkOYZ4C

— Egypt National Team (@EgyptNT_EN) July 7, 2026

Lionel Messi owns almost every record under the sun when it comes to the FIFA World Cup. Most goals, most wins for a player, most matches played as captain -- you name it, he has it. But there is one place where he is not No. 1.

As per FIFA's power ranking of the best attackers of World Cup 2026, Messi is currently third, behind Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland.

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 encounter between Argentina and Egypt. We are at the Atlanta Stadium today, for what is set to be a blockbuster clash. Stay tuned to NDTV Sports for all the live updates from the match!