Egypt vs Argentina World Cup last-16: Salah and Messi set for first international clash

Last 16 tie will be the first international meeting between two modern legends who may yet go on making history

Publication date: 2026-07-07 01:28:08

As Mohamed Salah savoured the feeling of Egypt's historic victory over Australia, the narrative had already moved on. The former Liverpool forward could not contain his delight after his scuffed penalty helped to seal a redemptive shootout triumph in Dallas for the Pharaohs on Friday.

"I decided last minute. I am more experienced than others and I wanted to give them confidence," said Salah, who had missed in Egypt's last two shootouts, including the World Cup qualifying playoff against Senegal four years ago.

"I don't know if it's my last World Cup, but I had to do it. Today was one of the best days of my life."

While he initially dismissed questions about the prospect of facing Lionel Messi in the next round out of respect — as Argentina prepared to face Cape Verde in what turned out to be an epic — he could not avoid it altogether. Asked who he would like to come up against if it does turn out to be his swansong, Salah had no hesitation.

"Messi," he said with a smirk.

Tuesday's showdown in Atlanta will be their first meeting at international level. They have met twice before, both in the Champions League:

• 2015 — when Salah was at Roma
• 2019 — in Liverpool's 3-0 defeat in the semi-final first leg at the Camp Nou

Most people remember what happened next, even if Salah missed the incredible 4-0 turnaround at Anfield because of a concussion he sustained a few days earlier against Newcastle. Jürgen Klopp said the sight of Salah wearing a 'Never give up' T-shirt was an inspiration for one of football's most famous comebacks.

Egypt will need that kind of self-belief and more when they come up against Lionel Scaloni's world champions, who have lost five of the century of games he has overseen in seven years at the helm. Having a genius in their ranks obviously helps.

But, as Egypt's national team director, Ibrahim Hassan, pointed out this week, they have the man who scored 257 goals and won four Premier League golden boots at Liverpool.

"We aren't focusing on Messi," he said. "We tell the players to go out there, play their game and block out the stature of who they are up against. They might have Messi, but we have Mohamed Salah — and we have 26 Messis of our own."

There are major concerns over Salah's workload after he was rushed back from the hamstring strain that forced him off against Iran during the group stages. He was spotted taking in the sights of downtown Atlanta during a stroll with his teammates on Sunday morning after they arrived in Georgia 24 hours earlier. Argentina flew in later that day, with some concerns over the quick turnaround after their close shave against Cape Verde.