Argentina vs. Egypt in FIFA World Cup Round of 16

Kathmandu. The important match between defending champions Argentina and Egypt in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 has started.

The match, which started at 9:45 PM at Atlanta Stadium in America, is in the spotlight due to the clash between two world football icons, Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah.

Argentina captain Lionel Messi is in excellent form in this World Cup. He has scored in all four previous matches and is at the top of the Golden Boot race with a total of 7 goals, alongside France's Kylian Mbappé and Norway's Erling Haaland. If Messi scores in today's match, he will join the list of record-holding players who have scored in the first five matches for their country in a single World Cup.

Previously, only Just Fontaine, Jairzinho, Gerd Müller, Rivaldo, and James Rodríguez have achieved this feat.

This World Cup has been very special for Egypt. Egypt, reaching the World Cup knockout stage for the first time, made history by defeating Australia in a penalty shootout in the Round of 32 match. Led by Mohamed Salah, Egypt is aiming to become the fifth African nation to reach the quarterfinals by stunning Argentina today.

Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni has fielded Julián Álvarez in the starting lineup alongside Messi. Speaking before the match, Scaloni said that Egypt is a strong team and they are 'alert'. He praised Mohamed Salah, admitting it would be difficult to stop him.

On the other hand, Egypt's coach Hossam Hassan said that while he respects Argentina and Messi, this match is a big opportunity for his team to prove themselves. He has included Salah in the starting eleven and made some changes to the team by keeping Omar Marmoush on the bench.

The winner of today's match will play against either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarterfinals.