Messi versus Salah headlines Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Argentina, the defending champions, swept their group (3-0 Algeria, 2-0 Austria, 3-1 Jordan) before needing EXTRA TIME to see off Cabo Verde 3-2 in the round of 32. Lionel Messi is the story of the tournament — SEVEN goals off 3.82 xG, the outright Golden Boot leader, dragging Argentina toward a title defence. Egypt, meanwhile, are living a fairytale: draws with Belgium and Iran around a 3-1 win over New Zealand, then a penalty-shootout victory over Australia — Mohamed Salah cheekily chipping his spot-kick — to reach their first last-16 in 92 YEARS.

Salah is fit, having completed 120 minutes against Australia, and has created 16 chances this tournament; Egypt will pack numbers behind the ball and pin everything on him in transition. Argentina are overwhelming favourites at -275 (Egypt +850), and the expectation is that after 20 minutes of early Pharaohs pressure they will find their level and create enough. But this World Cup has humbled giants — Norway just knocked out Brazil, Paraguay ended Germany on penalties — so 'comfortable' is not guaranteed. Expect Argentina through, likely by a controlled two-goal margin, with Messi again the difference.