Lionel Messi will lead Argentina against Egypt for a place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday, with the Argentine maestro also aiming to regain the lead in the fiercely contested Golden Boot race.
In Atlanta, the reigning champions take on the African country led by Mohamed Salah in order to go to the semifinals to play either Switzerland or Colombia.
In the round of 32, Argentina overcame a tremendous scare from World Cup rookies Cape Verde thanks to an own goal by Diney Borges in exhausting extra time.
Against Egypt, who have never advanced past the round of 16 on the largest platform in football, they will want to restore regular service.
“We are on the alert just like we were before the match against Cape Verde. Egypt is also a good rival. It’s a very good team. They have important players and a coach that has been working with them for a while now. They play good football and always make it difficult for their rivals.
“Salah is a great player — it will be a pleasure to face him. Our team knows how to face these great players and we always work hard for it,” AFP quoted Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni as saying.
Despite playing the entire 120 minutes against Cape Verde last week, Messi, 39, is fit to start, according to Scaloni.
In the competition for the Golden Boot, Messi, Norway’s Erling Haaland, and France’s Kylian Mbappe all have seven goals; the Frenchman is ahead because of his two assists.
Messi and Mbappe are also vying to be the most prolific goal scorer in World Cup history, with the Argentine leading by only one goal at 20.
The South Americans are aware that they must do better against unbeaten Egypt, who eliminated Australia on penalties in the round of 32.
After leaving Liverpool, Salah is presently unattached and has only managed one goal in four games.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said he had been preparing his players “regardless of the colour of the opponent’s shirt, or what name they have, and what ranking they have. This is a World Cup, a great opportunity to prove ourselves and that we belong here,” he said.
Another match between two undefeated teams takes place in Vancouver between Switzerland and Colombia.
The South Americans have been predicted as the tournament’s dark horses, backed by throngs of fervent yellow-clad supporters.
Nestor Lorenzo’s team, led by 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez and Luis Diaz, has only given up one goal thus far.
Switzerland made an impression in a 2-0 victory over Algeria in the round of 32, but they haven’t advanced to the quarterfinals since hosting the competition in 1954.
All four sides will be hoping to join the heavyweight line-up for the last eight so far — France, Morocco, Norway, England, Spain and Belgium.
