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SportsArgentina to face Egypt in World Cup for first time; Messi and Salah meet at national team level
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Argentina will face Egypt in the Round of 16 of the ongoing World Cup, marking their first-ever meeting in a World Cup tournament. According to a report by Hupu, citing Argentine outlet Olé, this match will also be the first time superstars Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah face each other at the national team level. Historically, the teams have met only twice in official matches, both won by Argentina without conceding a goal: a 6-0 victory in the 1928 Amsterdam Olympics semifinal, and a 2-0 friendly win in Cairo in 2008. Messi missed the 2008 friendly due to injury. Their only prior club-level clashes were in the Champions League, including a 2016 draw and a dramatic 2019 semifinal. Both teams advanced to the knockout stage after dramatic matches—Egypt won a penalty shootout against Australia, and Argentina beat Cape Verde in extra time. The match in Atlanta is expected to be a tough battle for Argentina against a disciplined Egyptian team led by Salah.
Source report
July 4, Hupu News — Following a hard-fought victory over Cape Verde, Argentina is set to face African powerhouse Egypt — the "Pharaoh Legion" — in the Round of 16 of this year's World Cup. According to reports from Ole, this match marks not only the first meeting between the two teams on a World Cup stage but also the first time global superstars Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah will face each other at the national team level.
Historical Record: Argentina Dominates with Two Wins, No Goals Conceded
Although Egypt boasts a long football history, the two sides have rarely crossed paths in official competition. They have met only twice in recognized matches, with Argentina winning both times without conceding a single goal.
- 1928 Olympics: The first encounter dates back nearly a century. In the semifinals of the Amsterdam Olympics, Argentina defeated Egypt 6-0. Boca Juniors legend Tarasconi scored a hat-trick in that match.
- 2008 Friendly: The second meeting came 80 years later, in 2008. Argentina traveled to Cairo for a friendly and won 2-0, with goals from Sergio Agüero and Nicolás Burdisso. Notably, Lionel Messi missed the game due to a thigh muscle injury.
Star Showdown: Messi vs. Salah
Since Messi was absent from the 2008 friendly, the upcoming knockout match in Atlanta will be the first time the two icons face off while representing their countries.
Prior to this, their encounters were limited to club football in the UEFA Champions League:
- In the 2016 Champions League group stage, Messi's Barcelona drew 1-1 with Salah's Roma.
- In the 2019 Champions League semifinals, Messi scored twice in the first leg to help Barcelona beat Liverpool 3-0. However, Salah missed the second leg due to injury, and Liverpool staged a stunning 4-0 comeback at Anfield to eliminate Barcelona.
Road to the Round of 16
Both teams' journeys to this stage were dramatic:
- Egypt advanced after a tense penalty shootout victory over Australia.
- Argentina narrowly overcame Cape Verde in extra time.
For Argentina, facing a tactically disciplined Egyptian side led by Salah will undoubtedly be another tough battle.
Source: Ole
Source
虎扑 - 足球Regional
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