Argentina and Egypt battle for the penultimate spot in the World Cup quarter-finals as two national icons clash in Atlanta.For Lionel Messi, it has been another tournament to remember with the Argentina captain top of the scoring charts both this year and overall. His side’s last outing was not, perhaps, the comfortable progression that most expected, though, with Cape Verde showing a few flaws in the defending champions’ system to threaten to cause one of the great World Cup shocks. Onwards, though, Argentina go into this round of 16 encounter with Egypt and Mohamed Salah. A tight affair against Australia was eventually settled in a shootout to leave history within reach – never before have Egypt reached the last eight of the World Cup. Can Salah lead them there and upset the holders? Or will Argentina’s own ageing, left-footed talisman steer his side to more success?Follow all of the latest from Atlanta with our World Cup live blog below:The Mat Ryan gamble that failed spectacularly as Egypt beat Australia on penaltiesArgentina may have needed extra time to get past Cape Verde, but Egypt went the distance against Australia, just about coming through a pretty tense penalty shootout as a Socceroos gamble backfired:Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 14:35Lionel Messi explains how Argentina must improve after surviving Cape Verde shockLionel Messi was pretty strong on Argentina’s performance against Cape Verde, which fell short of the high standards they had set leading up to that stage.Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 14:25How Argentina got hereIt was a nervy night for Argentina as Cape Verde threatened to pull off perhaps the biggest shock in World Cup history. What a credit the debutants were to their nation and the tournament – but the defending champions just about survived.Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 14:15Argentina vs EgyptThe quarter-final line-up is taking shape as the contenders are whittled down – who will fill the final two spots?Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 14:05Argentina v Egypt LIVEThere are just two places to be filled in the World Cup quarter-finals, with Argentina and Egypt set to battle for one of them tonight in Atlanta. Each spearheaded by an ageing, left-footed and remarkable forward, the two sides overcame tense ties in the round of 32 to set up this encounter – will it be Lionel Messi or Mohamed Salah who continues on?Kick off is at 5pm BST.(Getty)Harry Latham-Coyle7 July 2026 11:29