Salah looms as Argentina prepare for Egypt in the last 16

Egypt on Tuesday, and their bench has a message

Your team faces Egypt in the World Cup round of 16 on Tuesday, 7 July (3). Egypt's assistant coach did not hold back: "They may have Messi, but we have Mohamed Salah" (4). He also added, "We have 26 Messis" (4).

Salah against your backline is the matchup.

Cape Verde sent home, then welcomed like champions

Argentina beat Cape Verde in the round of 16 on 3 July, ending their tournament (2) (5) (6) (7) (8). Cape Verde flew home and were met with a national celebration. Thousands turned out. Independence Day, flags, the full thing (2) (5) (6).

Enzo Fernandez exit chatter is picking up

Chelsea's Alonso wants the board to move for Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni if Enzo Fernandez leaves this summer (1). Manchester United have been tracking the Argentine midfielder too (1). Nothing concrete yet, but the noise is building.

Fan reactions

The World Cup stat nerds are out. Jude Bellingham's brace against Mexico, 1 minute 38 seconds, is now the third-fastest in tournament history, behind only Kroos (2014) and Mbappé (2022 vs Argentina) link. And over on the Real Madrid subreddit, there is a quiet campaign to bring Alexis Mac Allister to the Bernabeu link.