The Argentine national team faces off against Egypt at… a very reasonable time (7:00 p.m.) so that everyone can enjoy one of the most intense “battles” that could turn out to be among the most important so far in this major tournament.

The “Albiceleste” fully understand that they must take their opponents absolutely seriously throughout their matches, since in their match against Cape Verde, they had to work incredibly hard to advance to the Round of 16 with a 3-2 victory.

Lionel Messi has 7 goals; saw Mbappé and Haaland tie him for the lead, and as the GOAT, he obviously knows he must continue to lead his country’s national team by the hand.

Mohamed Salah wants the same thing and knows that’s what he must do for Egypt’s national team. The “Pharaohs” overcame Australia in a penalty shootout to reach this stage of the tournament, and the Liverpool legend wants to go even further in this year’s World Cup.

The Africans are, in effect, in the “Round of 16” for the first time, since back in 1934 they had advanced directly to the knockout stage of what was then the second World Cup, which at the time featured just 16 participating teams.

Argentina has recorded 10 wins in its 12 most recent matches that went beyond 90 minutes to determine a winner, though none of those matches went to a penalty shootout.

In the teams’ previous meeting, a 2008 friendly, Agüero and Burdisso secured a 2-0 victory for Argentina.

Probable starting lineups:

Argentina: Emiliano Martínez, Molina, Romero, Lautaro Martínez, Medina, De Paul, Enzo, McAllister, Messi, Lisandro Martínez, Almada

Egypt: Sobeyr, Hani, Fathi, Ibrahim, Rabia, Assour, Lasin, Ateya, Zico, Salah, Marmous

*photo source: AP