Argentina next game now turns on Egypt after Argentina needed to dig deep against Cabo Verde in the round of 32 and still reached the round of 16. Lionel Scaloni’s side avoided a straight path and instead kept its World Cup run alive with work still ahead in the bracket.
Lionel Messi’s Six-Goal Run
Lionel Messi has starred with six goals from five appearances, giving Argentina a decisive edge as the knockout rounds tighten. At 39 years old, he remains part of the core Scaloni is leaning on after the 2022 World Cup, alongside Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernandez, and Rodrigo de Paul.
That core has carried Argentina through the early rounds, but Cabo Verde forced a different kind of night. Argentina had to dig deep instead of cruising into the round of 16, and that has already shaped the route ahead.
Egypt Waits After Australia
Egypt is the next possible opponent after knocking out Australia on penalties in the round of 32. Egypt also finished runners-up behind Belgium in the group stages, which is why Argentina’s route is now tied to a side of the bracket that has already produced a penalty shootout and an upset in the knockout phase.
If Argentina gets past the next step, the bracket can still bend in several directions. Switzerland or the winner of Colombia and Ghana could wait in the quarter-finals, while Brazil, England, or Norway could stand in the semi-final. From there, Argentina would take on whichever team emerges from the other side of the bracket in the World Cup final.
Argentina and the bracket
Spain, Portugal, and France are the favorites to advance from the other side, with Morocco also in contention to reach the World Cup final. For Argentina, the immediate task is simpler: keep the run moving, settle the next matchup, and protect the chance to play through to the last match of the tournament.
