WORLD CUP BETTING PREVIEW - ARGENTINA VS EGYPT

World Cup

2026-07-07 - Argentina vs Egypt

A Sports Betting Preview by Auls

Argentina v Egypt
Football: World Cup Last 16
Tuesday 7th July 2026 - Kick Off 12pm (CST)
British Time 5pm

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Argentina

Not for the first time in this 2026 World Cup, upstarts Cape Verde created a sensation as they pushed World Champions Argentina all the way, much as they did against European Champions Spain. Credit has to be given to Lionel Scaloni's men for continuing to fight forward as they were pegged back on two occasions, but the manager, the players and the huge Argentina following will all know that the team needs to step up a level or two if they are going to defend the title won in Qatar.

After cruising through the Group Stage, Argentina took a half time lead into the Last 32 tie and looked on course for another comfortable victory. Things changed dramatically and Argentina needed to win 2-1 in Extra Time to secure a 3-2 success over Cape Verde and move into another Last 16 having already beaten Algeria, Austria and Jordan in a weak Group.

The run of consecutive wins in normal time came to an end, but Argentina avoided the drama of a Penalty Shoot Out and may feel much more comfortable playing this game in regulated conditions. The heat and humidity of Miami is a huge challenge for any team playing there, but this is a Last 16 tie set for Atlanta and the roof should make things that much easier for Argentina to deal with.

Another largely ineffective display from Lautaro Martinez may mean changes, while Argentina have to find more from wide players that have been struggling to impact games. Facundo Medina picked up an injury that looks like it could cost him the remainder of the World Cup.

Predicted Line Up: Emi Martinez, Molina, Tagliafico, Romero, Lisandro Martinez, Mac Allister, Fernandez, De Paul, Gonzalez, Messi and Alvarez (4-4-2)

Egypt

It continues to be a tournament of 'firsts' for Egypt who have won a first World Cup game, progressed from the Group Stage for the first time and know won a World Cup Knock Out game for the first time too. The Penalty Shoot Out win over Australia means the Egyptian fans can continue to dream, but there is a big step up coming in the Last 16.

One of the weakest looking Groups contained Egypt, Belgium, Iran and New Zealand, but it should be said that the former two have both made the Last 16 of the tournament and that has to be respected. The win over New Zealand is the only one Egypt have had in normal time or outside of the Penalty Shoot Outs and so there is a significant challenge in front of them to reach the Quarter Final.

Egypt have been a long time dominant nation in African Football and so the World Cup record was one that had been embarrassing the nation. This is a squad that have proven to be tough to beat with a single loss 8 games in all competitions since the African Cup of Nations Semi Final defeat to Senegal back in January.

Hossam Hassan is unlikely to make too many changes to his starting eleven and will keep faith in those who have helped Egypt make it this far into the tournament.

Predicted Line Up: Shobeir, Hany, Hafez, Ibrahim, Rabia, Fathy, Lasheen, Salah, Zico, Ashour and Marmoush (4-2-3-1)

Head to Head

These nations met in an international friendly in 2008 that was won 2-0 by Argentina in Cairo.

Prediction

There has been something of a lackadaisical approach to some of the football Argentina have played in this World Cup and that was almost costly in the Last 32 against Cape Verde.

Playing within themselves feels like a plan to manage energy for the entirety of the tournament, but Argentina perhaps overlooked Cape Verde after a poor first half and allowed the underdog to grow into the match.

Overachieving within a game does not mean Cape Verde were the better team, but Argentina cannot afford to coast too many more times as the challenges increase at the World Cup.

They had the superior chances and Argentina deserved to go through, but it should be noted that they are facing a stronger African Qualifier than the one they just beat.

Egypt have really enjoyed the time at the World Cup and have scored and conceded in all four games, but have drawn 3 of those matches 1-1. Penalties were needed to edge out Australia in the Last 32, but this is a team that have not really faced opponents of the level of Argentina in this tournament and that will be testing for them.

English Premier League quality in the forward areas will have to step up for Egypt, but containing Argentina will be challenging in much more comfortable conditions set for this Last 16 tie.

The reality is that Argentina should find a way through, but Egypt can bring a threat into this match and backing the underdog to have at least eight shots in a match won by the favourite looks to be a big price.

The Pick :

Argentina 3-1 Egypt

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

I'll back Argentina to Win & Egypt Over 7.5 Shots (Bet Builder) at 2.62 with Bet365 (early payout if a team is leading by two goals)