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Messi v Salah in World Cup Last-16 Showdown

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Egypt Training - Atlanta United Training Center, Atlanta, Georgia, US - July 6, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid during training. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Egypt Training - Atlanta United Training Center, Atlanta, Georgia, US - July 6, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid during training. (Reuters)
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Messi v Salah in World Cup Last-16 Showdown

Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Egypt Training - Atlanta United Training Center, Atlanta, Georgia, US - July 6, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid during training. (Reuters)
Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - Egypt Training - Atlanta United Training Center, Atlanta, Georgia, US - July 6, 2026 Egypt's Mohamed Salah and Hossam Abdelmaguid during training. (Reuters)

Lionel Messi's Argentina face Egypt for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals on Tuesday as the maestro looks to reclaim the lead in a fiercely contested Golden Boot race.

The defending champions meet the African nation, spearheaded by Mohamed Salah, in Atlanta for the right to play Switzerland or Colombia in the semi-finals.

Argentina survived a huge scare from World Cup first-timers Cape Verde in the last 32, edging through courtesy of Diney Borges' own goal in energy-sapping extra time.

They will hope to resume normal service against Egypt, who have never been beyond the round of 16 on football's biggest stage.

"We are on the alert just like we were before the match against Cape Verde," said Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni. "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."

Scaloni confirmed Messi, 39, is fit to start despite playing the full 120 minutes last week against Cape Verde.

Messi, France star Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland all have seven goals in the race for the Golden Boot, with the Frenchman leading the way due to his two assists.

Messi and Mbappe are also locked in a battle for the title of leading goalscorer in World Cup history, with the Argentine just one goal ahead, on 20.

The South Americans know they will need to up their game against unbeaten Egypt, who eliminated Australia on penalties in the last 32.

Salah, currently without a club after leaving Liverpool, has scored just once in four matches so far.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said he had been preparing his players "regardless of the color 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.

- Dangerous Diaz -

Switzerland and Colombia meet in Vancouver in another clash between two unbeaten teams.

The South Americans, supported by hordes of passionate yellow-clad fans, have been tipped as dark horses for the tournament.

Nestor Lorenzo's men have conceded just one goal so far and boast the attacking prowess of Luis Diaz and 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner James Rodriguez.

Switzerland have not reached the quarter-finals since 1954, when they hosted the tournament, but impressed in a 2-0 win against Algeria in the last 32.

All four teams will be vying to join the heavyweight line-up for the last eight so far -- France, Morocco, Norway, England, Spain and Belgium.

Spain ended Cristiano Ronaldo's World Cup dream on Monday, beating Portugal 1-0 while Belgium crushed the United States 4-1.

Defeat for Mauricio Pochettino's men means none of the host nations remain in the 2026 tournament following the earlier exits of Canada and Mexico.

The build-up to the game in Seattle was overshadowed by controversy after forward Folarin Balogun was cleared to play despite being sent off against Bosnia and Herzegovina last week.

It emerged that the bombshell ruling followed a personal call by President Donald Trump to FIFA chief Gianni Infantino urging him to review Balogun's punishment.

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Mbappe Fires Back at Paraguayan Senator’s Racist Attack After France Victory

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe attends a training session at Bentley University in Waltham, near Boston, on July 07, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe attends a training session at Bentley University in Waltham, near Boston, on July 07, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
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Mbappe Fires Back at Paraguayan Senator’s Racist Attack After France Victory

France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe attends a training session at Bentley University in Waltham, near Boston, on July 07, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)
France's forward #10 Kylian Mbappe attends a training session at Bentley University in Waltham, near Boston, on July 07, 2026, during the 2026 World Cup football tournament. (AFP)

France striker Kylian Mbappe hit back at a Paraguayan senator, describing her as a "despicable woman" on Monday after she launched a racist attack on him following Paraguay's elimination from the World Cup.

Mbappe's penalty proved the difference in a bruising and ill-tempered match as France won 1-0 in Philadelphia on Saturday to advance to the quarter-finals.

Celeste Amarilla wrote a long, racist tirade on X, describing Mbappe as a "colonized Cameroonian, desperately trying to pass himself off as French," and as a "brute" who had not learned to write.

Paraguay's players should have slapped him after the match, she added.

Mbappe, the France captain, responded with a strongly worded statement defending not ‌only himself but ‌also the Paraguay players.

"Madame Celeste Amarilla, you are a despicable woman and ‌unworthy ⁠of your position. ⁠You do not represent Paraguay, that country which has sweated passion and honor throughout the competition," he wrote.

"Through your recklessness and your brazen racism, the entire world has already forgotten the journey and the historic effort that your players accomplished during this World Cup, making way for an incompetent woman who gives the worst possible image of her country.

"I will never allow people like her the freedom to spread their hatred and racism across the world."

CRIMINAL COMPLAINT

The French Football Federation (FFF) escalated the matter, announcing ⁠plans to file a criminal complaint, describing her remarks as "utterly abhorrent and ‌unacceptable".

"These remarks are criminal and reprehensible. They must be prosecuted ‌here as elsewhere. The FFF is reporting the matter to the public prosecutor's office with a view ‌to legal proceedings," it said.

"These remarks bring shame upon those who make them and those who ‌disseminate them. The players of the French national team represent France; it is our country that is being insulted."

The Paraguayan government said it "deplores and rejects the statements" made by Amarilla, saying they are "contrary to the values and principles that inspire peaceful coexistence and respect for human dignity that our country promotes."

"The statements of ‌the aforementioned legislator correspond exclusively to the exercise of her individual responsibility as a member of the Legislative Branch and in no way ⁠represent the position of ⁠the Government of the Republic of Paraguay or the Paraguayan people," it said in a statement.

French President Emmanuel Macron's office said the Paraguayan president had written to him to express support and condemned the remarks.

Macron on Tuesday offered words of support for the captain. "Another goal for Kylian Mbappe. Against racism this time. All my support. When words smear, our values respond: dignity, respect, fraternity," he said in a post on X.

Basilio Nunez, the leader of the South American country's legislature, said the comments do not represent the "genuine values" of Paraguayans.

"As President of the National Congress, I strongly reject racist, xenophobic messages and those that incite violence against any person," Nunez said.

"The Paraguayan national team gave their all with honor and grit at the World Cup. Politics and sports should be kept separate."

France's assistant coach Guy Stephan said: "We haven't spoken with Kylian yet, haven't had the opportunity.

"But in three words: it's disgraceful, vile, outrageous."

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‘Disappointed’ Pochettino Says Balogun Row No Excuse for US World Cup Exit

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
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‘Disappointed’ Pochettino Says Balogun Row No Excuse for US World Cup Exit

United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)

US coach Mauricio Pochettino said he was disappointed and frustrated by the backlash over Folarin Balogun's ban, but insisted it was no excuse for his side's World Cup exit at the hands of Belgium on Monday.

Striker Balogun was cleared by FIFA to play in the co-hosts' pivotal round-of-16 clash despite having earned a red card in the previous game, following a call by US President Donald Trump to football's global governing body.

FIFA said the decision was not influenced by Trump, but the ensuing row dominated the final days of the US World Cup campaign, with Pochettino obliged to defend Balogun's eligibility for a game that ended with a crushing 4-1 loss in Seattle.

"I am so frustrated and so disappointed with the people who are supposed to understand this situation," said Pochettino, accusing critics of "mixing" politics with FIFA's decision.

"I think it didn't affect our performance... it's not an excuse, and we cannot put excuses, it wasn't our day.

"But in a personal way... (what) is the point? To insult or to receive a lot of bad message or threats, if my position is 'I am the head coach, it's a rule... that the player can be available'?"

"My position was to train the team, and if you have available Balogun, because the disciplinary (committee) of FIFA allowed to for you to have the player, it's not a problem," said Pochettino.

"In a personal way I feel so disappointed with too many people."

Balogun, the top US scorer of the tournament with three goals, started the game against Belgium but was not able to make a significant mark.

The US looked a shadow of the team that had made a bright start to the tournament on home soil, inflaming the hopes of the American public for a deep run into the World Cup.

"It was a very bad day. It wasn't our day, in a collective and individual way," said Pochettino.

"And we need to accept that sometimes this type of thing happens, but in a tournament like a World Cup, when that happens, you have not another chance."

Pochettino was non-committal on whether he would continue in the US national team role, saying he would first need to rest and then have conversations with federation officials.

He has been offered an extended contract with the US, but the former Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain head coach has also been linked with a possible return to European club football.

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After His Suspension Was Lifted in Scrutinized Move, Balogun Has Little Impact in US World Cup Loss

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
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After His Suspension Was Lifted in Scrutinized Move, Balogun Has Little Impact in US World Cup Loss

United States' Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)
United States' Folarin Balogun (20) walks off the pitch after losing to Belgium in their World Cup round of 16 match in Seattle, Monday, July 6, 2026. (AP)

Folarin Balogun's presence on the field for the United States against Belgium had a seismic impact on the world of football, but he ultimately played a forgettable role in the Americans' 4-1 loss in the World Cup round of 16 on Monday.

The 25-year-old striker, who had three goals in this World Cup, was shown a red card during the US victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina, but FIFA lifted his suspension for Monday's match after US President Donald Trump intervened on Balogun's behalf.

FIFA's decision prompted football leaders to question the integrity of the World Cup, with European soccer body UEFA saying FIFA “crossed a red line” and Belgium's soccer federation contesting Balogun's eligibility.

Balogun did not score on Monday. He helped set up Malik Tillman's goal in the 31st minute when he was fouled by Belgium defender Brandon Mechele roughly 25 yards outside the Red Devils’ goal.

Tillman scored on the ensuing free kick. Just before the goal, Balogun waved his arms and pumped up the American fans.

The US tried to set up Balogun multiple times. He made use of his speed on several runs but could not get past Belgium goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. His best chance came in the 82nd minute, when Courtois got in front of a left-footed attempt. Balogun was replaced by Haji Wright in the 92nd minute.

To a suggestion that Balogun wasn’t a major presence on the field, US midfielder Tyler Adams responded: “Was anyone a major presence on the field today?”

“We were happy that we had the opportunity for him to play,” Adams said. “He tried today to be a presence and a nuisance, and at times he was — getting the ball in behind and doing what he does. Just didn’t have too many opportunities.”

Last Wednesday during the Americans’ 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina, Balogun was shown a red card by Brazilian referee Raphael Claus for stepping on an opponent’s ankle, triggering an automatic one-game suspension.

After Trump spoke by phone to FIFA president Gianni Infantino, FIFA’s disciplinary committee suspended the discipline for a year on Sunday.

Infantino said he did not play a role in the decision by the disciplinary committee, which also fined Balogun $40,000, a penalty that can be paid by the US Soccer Federation.

The FIFA president was in attendance for the match, watching from a suite with Pascale Van Damme, chair of the Belgian Football Association, and Cindy Parlow Cone, president of the USSF. US Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin was seated nearby.

Belgium fans chanted “FIFA Mafia!” during their pregame march to Lumen Field.

Balogun's three goals matched Landon Donovan in 2010 for the second most by an American in a World Cup. Bert Patenaude holds the US record with four in the initial tournament in 1930.

Balogun, who was playing in his first World Cup for the Americans, became the first US player to score two goals in a match in the tournament since 1930. But he failed to lead the US to what would have been its first consecutive knockout-stage wins. The best performance by the Americans since 1930 remains their run to the quarterfinals in 2002.