Argentina vs Egypt is now set for the World Cup Round of 16 after both sides won on Friday, turning separate Round of 32 escapes into one knockout matchup in Atlanta. Lionel Messi and Mo Salah are on the same path again, and the pairing will be only their second meeting as professionals.
Lionel Messi Drives Argentina
Messi scored Argentina's opener in the 29th minute against Cabo Verde in Miami, but Argentina still needed extra time to finish a 3-2 win. Lisandro Martinez put Argentina ahead 2-1 early in extra time, then Sidny Lopez Cabral answered in the 103rd minute before Cristian Romero scored the winner.
Mo Salah And Egypt Advance
Egypt moved through the same round by a different route. It drew Australia 1-1 before winning 4-2 on penalties, after Mohamed Hany's own goal in the 55th minute leveled a match Egypt had led 1-0. That result gave the Pharaohs their first-ever win in a World Cup knockout stage.
Messi And Salah In Atlanta
The matchup carries a short head-to-head history. Messi and Salah have met only twice, both times in UEFA Champions League games: a 1-1 draw between Roma and FC Barcelona at the Stadio Olimpico on September 16, 2015, and a 3-0 Barcelona win over Liverpool at Camp Nou nearly three-and-a-half years later, when Messi scored two goals.
That leaves Atlanta with a clear draw for the Round of 16: Argentina brings the late rally and extra-time edge, while Egypt arrives after penalties and a breakthrough knockout-stage win. The next game gives both sides a direct test against a familiar star they have barely faced before.
