Inter Miami CF’s captain, Lionel Messi, along with midfielder Rodrigo De Paul, is continuing their journey in the FIFA World Cup 2026™ with Argentina. With a challenging Round of 16 match against Egypt scheduled for Tuesday, July 7, at Atlanta Stadium, fans are eagerly anticipating what promises to be an exciting showdown. Kickoff is set for 12 p.m. ET.
Where to Watch the Exciting Match
Soccer fans will have the opportunity to witness the thrilling encounter live, with broadcasts available in English via FOX and in Spanish on Telemundo and Peacock. This ensures that supporters from various backgrounds can cheer on their teams as they vie for a place in the quarterfinals.
Recapping the Round of 32 Action
Argentina secured their position in the Round of 16 with a gripping 3-2 victory over Cape Verde, which took place in extra time during the Round of 32. Messi initiated the scoring during regulation time, while Lisandro Martínez and an own goal from Cape Verde bolstered Argentina’s lead, ultimately delivering a hard-fought win for the defending champions. With his goal, Messi not only reached 20 total World Cup goals but also solidified his status as the highest scorer in the tournament’s history, sharing the current lead for this edition with seven goals. Additionally, he made history by becoming the first player ever to score in eight consecutive FIFA World Cup matches.
This victory also marked Messi’s 30th appearance in World Cup matches, a milestone that makes him the sole player in history to achieve such a feat. Before this win, Argentina had an impeccable record in Group J, starting strong with a 3-0 victory over Algeria, followed by a 2-0 win against Austria, and concluding the group stage with a 3-1 triumph over Jordan.
On the other hand, Egypt advanced to the Round of 16 following a dramatic 4-2 penalty shootout win over Australia after the match concluded in a 1-1 draw during regulation. The African nation finished second in Group G with five points, remaining unbeaten with one win and two draws along the way.
Historical Matchup and Messi’s Accomplishments
The upcoming match against Egypt is particularly interesting as it marks the third encounter between the two teams. Argentina has a historical edge, having won both previous matchups—2-0 in a friendly in 2008 and a dominant 6-0 victory in the 1928 Olympics.
Lionel Messi, during his illustrious international career, has played a vital role in guiding Argentina to multiple championships, including the 2021 and 2024 CONMEBOL Copa América tournaments and the 2022 CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions. He further established his legacy by leading Argentina to a historic FIFA World Cup title in 2022. Messi currently holds records for the most caps (203) and goals (124) for the national team, and he has set the international record for the most World Cup appearances (30).
Rodrigo De Paul, who is participating in his second World Cup, has been instrumental alongside Messi, contributing significantly in the 2021 and 2024 Copa América victories and the 2022 CONMEBOL-UEFA Cup of Champions win. The versatile midfielder boasts an impressive 90 caps for Argentina, having scored two goals in his successful international career.
As the anticipation builds for the Round of 16 clash, fans will be keenly watching how Messi and De Paul perform, both of whom have established themselves as pivotal players in Argentina’s pursuit of soccer glory.