Australia and Egypt battle for a round of 16 spot in what looks an evenly-matched World Cup 2026 knockout match.A tough tie against Argentina is likely to be next for the winner, but there is plenty on the line as two sides in solid form collide. The Socceroos came through a tricky group largely thanks to an excellent opening win over Turkey, and are now eyeing a spot of World Cup history – never before have Australia won a knockout tie at the tournament, losing their previous two outings beyond the group stage.Can they avoid a repeat? Mohamed Salah – fit to feature after a hamstring injury – and co. will ensure they are sternly tested. Perennial powerhouses in the Africa Cup of Nations, Egypt have a curiously poor World Cup record themselves but will fancy their chances of progressing. Follow all of the latest from the World Cup clash with our live blog below:Farewell Luka Modric, the World Cup’s unlikely miracle man who changed Croatia foreverWhen it was eventually all over, Luka Modric found himself enveloped in a hug by Cristiano Ronaldo, a slight figure almost swallowed up by a far taller former teammate. It was an instant reminder of how improbable it has been, the career of this middle-aged man with the body of a boy, the footballer from a small country that, with him as their indefatigable leader, almost conquered the footballing world.Modric at the World Cup has been a great story. The final chapter was cruel; Croatia celebrated euphorically when it appeared Josko Gvardiol had scored a 103rd-minute equaliser against Portugal. The specialists in going to extra time seemed to have done so again. Enter VAR and exit Croatia. Portugal progressed. Modric’s World Cup career is finally finished, with silver and bronze medals, with the Golden Ball and the Bronze Ball, perhaps even with a place in the tournament’s all-time 11.Richard Jolly3 July 2026 16:37Ronaldo’s tears, Martinez’s choice and Modric’s ending: Inside Portugal v Croatia, a World Cup epicSome of yesterday’s biggest stories now, starting with Portugal as Ronaldo and co. advanced...Then they trailed and Martinez showed a decisiveness he is often accused of lacking. A quadruple change altered the momentum, the World Cup. One of the arrivals, Goncalo Ramos, was to prove the man who did something many an opponent has failed to accomplish in the last two World Cups and finish off Croatia.But Martinez’s later, and final, change was his most instructive, perhaps his most influential.Richard Jolly3 July 2026 16:27Hassan: 'We look forward to him playing tomorrow'Here are the full quotes on Salah from Egypt boss Hossam Hassan: “Against Iran, we learned that he suffered a hamstring strain during the second half of the match and asked to be substituted," Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said during his pre-match press conference.“Our very distinguished medical department took care of that, and we tried to introduce him to partial team training as of yesterday only.“But Salah is a passionate player; he is very much looking forward to making his own contributions with his teammates tomorrow.“But of course, I am not going to run any risk unless I am sure that he is 100 per cent sure of the fact that he is fit and raring to go tomorrow."We look forward to him playing tomorrow, not sure though whether he is going to be in the starting lineup,” he added. (Getty)Chris Wilson3 July 2026 16:17Team newsAs for the Socceroos, Jacob Italiano and Mathew Leckie are the only absentees, with the former sidelined due to a groin issue and the latter making his own recovery from a hamstring injury. Chris Wilson3 July 2026 16:10Team newsMo Salah should be fit enough to at least be involved this evening, but it is not yet known whether he’ll be able to start the game. “Salah is a passionate player; he is very much looking forward to making his own contributions with his teammates tomorrow,” said Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan in the build-up to the game. Elsewhere, Ahmed Fatouh has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, while Hamdy Fathy, Hossam Abdelmaguid and Mohamed Abdelmonem will face late fitness tests. Chris Wilson3 July 2026 16:05Australia vs Egypt LIVEEgypt come into this one as favourites but they’ll have plenty to think about as they face Australia, who are hoping to win their first World Cup knockout game this evening. The winner of this evening’s game will take on either Argentina or Cape Verde – interestingly, Australia went out to Lionel Messi and co. at the round of 16 stage in 2022!Chris Wilson3 July 2026 16:02Australia vs Egypt LIVEThe end of the round of 32 is almost here as the World Cup knockout rounds continue with a clash between Australia and Egypt in Dallas. The Socceroos have never won a game beyond the group stage at the competition – does that change today, or will Mohamed Salah – fit to feature after a hamstring scare – and co. continue the run?Kick off is at 7pm BST.(Reuters)Harry Latham-Coyle3 July 2026 09:58