Argentina vs Egypt prediction and betting tips – Messi to strike again?

Jul 7, 2026 - 09:30

Argentina take on Egypt in the Round of 16 in the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday evening where the winner will face either Switzerland or Colombia in the Quarter-Finals.

Argentina vs Egypt best bets

Bet on Argentina to win by 2+ goals, over 2 cards and Messi to score at 12/1 on bet365
Back Argentina to win both halves at 11/5 on 247Bet
Bet on Messi to score first and Mohanad Lasheen booked at 25/1 on BetVictor

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Argentina vs Egypt head to head overview

Date: Tuesday, 7th July 2026
Kick-off: 5pm
Venue: Atlanta Stadium
Where to watch: ITV1
Referee: Francois Letexier
Last meeting: Egypt 0-2 Argentina (only meeting)
Favourite to win: Argentina

Argentina vs Egypt predicted lineups

Argentina expected lineup: E. Martinez; Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister; Messi, Martinez, Almada.
Egypt expected lineup: Shobeir; Hany, Fathy, Ibrahim, Rabia; Ashour, Lasheen, Ateya, Ziko; Salah, Marmoush.

Argentina vs Egypt prediction

When you come up against the reigning champions of the world you’d expect to not be the favourites, but this Round of 16 tie sees Egypt as high as 7/1 to get the job done in 90 minutes.

They’ve not really shown enough this World Cup to suggest they can beat Argentina who have been in great form so far, even if only just bypassing Cabo Verde, but that game itself was all down to the small island nation coming up with an incredible performance.

Argentina had to go to extra time to progress to this stage and they’ll be hoping to despatch of Egypt in 90, which will give players vital rest ahead of the quarter-finals instead of some playing the full 120 minutes.

This could be billed as Lionel Messi vs Mohamed Salah, two legends of the game going head to head, but so far Egypt haven’t really found a way of getting Salah involved to the way he could change games.

Whereas, Lionel Messi has been on another level almost single-handedly taking Argentina to this round with another seven goals.

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Argentina vs Egypt prediction and preview for 2026 World Cup clash

Argentina vs Egypt betting tips

Messi continues legendary run

Messi has now become the top scoring player in World Cup history, having overtaken Ronaldo and Miroslav Klose with the seven in this tournament taking over both of them.

With 20 so far, he has the potential to set a very high scoring record with even more games to come if Argentina progress through each round and more chances for Messi to add to that tally.

Salah will be one of Egypt’s main threats, he has assisted twice and scored once this tournament but they certainly need more from him to get something from this game.

Other Argentinian scorers have been few and far between with Messi being the main scorer so far, scoring all goals in their 3-0 win over Algeria, both goals against Austria, and then one of three goalscorers in their 3-1 win over Jordan.

He opened the scoring against Cabo Verde too with a sensational goal that came from the ideal touch and finish and that will surely be able to happen again against Egypt, helping Argentina see off Egypt rather comfortably.

Cards and more

This game like many others we’ve seen in these knockouts could have some tempers rise, with everything on the line players leave it all out on the field and that often results in fouls, cards and heated arguments that just really raise the heat.

I can see this game end up with Egypt trying to frustrate Argentina with a few careful fouls and vice versa, especially if the game isn’t going either of their ways.

Egypt haven’t got too many cards but Mohaned Lasheen has been booked twice in his last two appearances so leads the way in that regard.

Bet on Argentina to win by 2+ goals, over 2 cards and Messi to score at 12/1 on bet365
Back Argentina to win both halves at 11/5 on 247Bet
Bet on Messi to score first and Mohanad Lasheen booked at 25/1 on BetVictor

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Argentina vs Egypt latest odds

Find the latest Argentina vs Egypt betting odds here. Odds are provided by bet365 and are subject to change.

Argentina – 2/5
Draw – 7/2
Egypt – 7/1

More World Cup predictions

Find more predictions and betting tips from our expert punters in our match previews on the Premier League, Champions League, Championship, League One and of course the World Cup!

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