Egypt and Argentina take the field this evening — and we’re hoping for another World Cup upset

⚽ This is the one, folks. Egypt face Argentina at 7pm at Atlanta Stadium — Salah against Messi, the Pharaohs against the defending champions, and a first-ever World Cup quarterfinal berth on the line. Watch on beIN Sports Max 1. Then at 11pm, Switzerland face Colombia in Vancouver to round out the World Cup round of 16 on beIN Sports Max 2.

Let’s talk about what tonight’s first fixture means. Egypt have already made history simply by making it this far — the first World Cup victory in Om El Donia’s history, the first time we’ve reached the knockout stage, and now the first round of 16 appearance. Prior to this tournament, Egypt’s entire World Cup record amounted to a group stage exit. Tonight, the Pharaohs are in for the biggest challenge yet.

Argentina — the reigning champions — are bidding to become the first nation in 64 years to successfully defend the World Cup, and they’re led by Messi, who has scored seven goals in four World Cup matches so far… but they’re not invincible. They needed an own goal in extra time to see off debutants Cape Verde in the round of 32 — a game that arguably left them shaken.

Plus, Germany, Brazil, and the Netherlands have all gone home early — so upsets aren’t off the table. If the Pharaohs pull it off, Egypt would be the fifth African nation in history to reach a World Cup quarter-final, after Cameroon, Senegal, Ghana, and Morocco. Mns of Egyptians — and frankly, mns of others around the world — will be hoping they do. The victor faces Switzerland or Colombia in Kansas City on Saturday.

MEANWHILE- Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan held his pre-match press conference in Atlanta yesterday, delivering a statement on Palestine after being asked by a journalist about waving the Palestinian flag after Egypt eliminated Australia (watch, runtime: 26:04). “If there is anyone in the world who does not feel for the Palestinian people, then they are not human — whether they are Arab, European, or American,” Hassan said.

“We know we are playing against the World Cup holders and one of the greatest players ever, but we do not fear them. We have a responsibility toward Egypt and the Arab world and Africa. We represent all of them,” the Egyptian coach proclaimed. Hassan also refused the underdog label for the Pharaohs, noting that, “We’re big in every respect. We are a civilization that is 7,000 years old, even more than 7,000 years.”

🥅 ICYMI-

Yesterday gave us a last-second classic and a one-sided humbling. Spain beat Portugal 1-0 in Dallas through a Mikel Merino strike in the first minute of stoppage time — substitute Ferran Torres slipping a quick ball into the box, and the Arsenal midfielder finishing calmly at the near post.

Portugal had their moments — Nuno Mendes rattled the crossbar with a deflected effort in the first half, and Bernardo Silva headed onto the roof of the net when he should have scored. Meanwhile, Spain have now kept six consecutive World Cup clean sheets, with goalkeeper Unai Simón extending his record to 609 consecutive minutes without conceding, smashing Walter Zenga's 36-year-old record of 517 minutes set at Italia ‘90 — certified by Guinness World Records.

For Portugal, it was a painful end. Cristiano Ronaldo, who had announced before the match that this would be his final World Cup, was seen in tears at the final whistle.

Belgium didn’t hold back. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice, Hans Vanaken added a third, and Romelu Lukaku put the cherry on top in stoppage time as Belgium swept the United States aside 4-1 in Seattle, ending the last co-host’s tournament. Belgium will face Spain on Friday, 10 July, in the quarterfinals.

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