Salah’s Egypt chase more history against Messi’s Argentina

Doha, Qatar: After leading Egypt to the biggest victory in the country’s football history, Mohamed Salah revealed the message he gave his teammates before their dramatic penalty-shootout triumph over Australia: “This is a world stage. Show your footballing quality.”

History-making Egypt will need another performance of that calibre today when they take on reigning champions Argentina and Lionel Messi in a rare Round of 16 meeting between South America’s and Africa’s most decorated football nations at Atlanta Stadium.

The 16-time Copa America champions and seven-time Africa Cup of Nations winners meet at 7pm Qatar time with a quarter-final against Switzerland or Colombia at stake. saltysenoritaaz.com

The Pharaohs have already rewritten their record books in North America. They secured their first-ever World Cup victory during the group stage, reached the knockout rounds for the first time and now stand one win away from becoming only the fifth African nation to reach the quarter-finals.

“We made history,” Salah said after the Australia victory.

“I spoke with my teammates and told them, ‘This is a world stage. Show your footballing quality.’ I’m very happy we won the match.”

The Liverpool star has inspired Hossam Hassan’s side throughout the tournament, combining leadership with creativity as Egypt emerged from Group G unbeaten before overcoming Australia in a tense shootout after a 1-1 draw.Argentina’s Lionel Messi takes part in a training session.

When asked about the prospect of facing Messi after that victory, Salah embraced the challenge.

“Everybody wants to play against the best players in the world,” he said.

This will also mark the first international meeting between Messi and Salah in national colours.

Hassan’s disciplined side have blended resilience with attacking quality throughout the tournament, refusing to be overawed on football’s biggest stage. Another composed display will be essential against a team chasing history of its own.

Argentina remain on course to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup, but Lionel Scaloni’s men were reminded in the Round of 32 that reputations alone guarantee nothing.

After cruising through the group stage with three straight wins, the holders were pushed to the limit by African debutants Cape Verde before eventually prevailing 3-2 after extra time. The scare exposed defensive vulnerabilities and ensured Argentina arrive with renewed focus.

Scaloni acknowledged the challenge awaiting his side, while midfielder Leandro Paredes also warned against underestimating the Africans.

“It will be a very difficult match. We are at the elite level of football and all national teams are very good and physical,” Paredes said.

Messi will once again be the focal point. The Argentina captain is enjoying another record-breaking World Cup and shares the Golden Boot lead with Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland on seven goals. His influence has once again driven La Albiceleste, who have reached the Round of 16 at every World Cup since 2002.

Despite their rich football traditions, Argentina and Egypt have met only once before, with the South Americans winning a 2008 friendly 2-0.

Egypt’s dream run has already produced several firsts, and another upset would send the Pharaohs into uncharted territory, while Argentina seek to keep alive their second straight title bid.

Doha, Qatar: For Colombia and Switzerland, Vancouver offers more than just a place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals. It presents an opportunity to equal one of the greatest achievements in each nation’s football history.

With holders Argentina or Egypt awaiting the winners, today’s Round of 16 clash at BC Place could become the defining night of either country’s campaign.

Both nations arrive unbeaten after four matches, built not on moments of chaos but on discipline, structure and remarkable consistency.

Switzerland have quietly pieced together one of their finest World Cup campaigns in decades. Murat Yakin’s side topped Group B before producing an assured 2-0 victory over Algeria in the Round of 32, extending a run that has showcased defensive organisation and growing confidence.

The emergence of 20-year-old midfielder Johan Manzambi has been one of the stories of the tournament. The Freiburg youngster has announced himself on the biggest stage with three goals and two assists, adding creativity and composure to a Swiss side already boasting experience in Breel Embolo, captain Granit Xhaka and goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. Embolo, meanwhile, has continued climbing the Swiss World Cup scoring charts with four career goals, trailing only Sepp Hügi and Xherdan Shaqiri.

Yakin knows, however, that Colombia represent an entirely different challenge. “Colombia are a team with a lot of technical quality. Given their intensity, they can be dangerous at any time. We’ll have to stick together and perform as a team if we want to progress.” Yakin said.

Switzerland goalkeeper Gregor Kobel in action.

Néstor Lorenzo’s men have yet to taste defeat in North America, defeating Uzbekistan and DR Congo before holding Portugal to a goalless draw to secure top spot in Group K. They then reinforced their position with a composed 1-0 victory over Ghana in the Round of 32.

If Switzerland have relied on teamwork and defensive discipline, Colombia have combined a solid defence with moments of individual quality. They have conceded just one goal in four matches and arrive in Vancouver after keeping three consecutive clean sheets. Looking further back, they have recorded five clean sheets in their last seven World Cup matches, showing why they have become one of the tournament’s hardest teams to break down.

Lorenzo is expecting another tactical battle. “Switzerland are a very organised team,” he said . They play well and also have good players in the final third. It is going to be a very tough match.”

Much of Colombia’s attacking threat comes from Luis Díaz and 2014 World Cup Golden Ball winner James Rodríguez. Díaz’s pace and direct running can trouble any defence, while James continues to pull the strings with his vision, creativity and experience.

History offers only limited clues. The nations have met just four times, with Colombia holding the advantage through two victories, one draw and one defeat. Their only previous World Cup encounter came in the group stage of USA 1994, when Colombia won 2-0.

Switzerland have reached the quarter-finals three times, but not since hosting the tournament in 1954. Since then, the knockout rounds have frequently ended in frustration, including Round of 16 exits in 2014 and 2022.

Colombia’s greatest World Cup adventure came in Brazil in 2014, when James Rodríguez inspired Los Cafeteros to a first-ever quarter-final appearance before they were eliminated by the hosts. Having failed to qualify for Qatar 2022, this generation now has the opportunity to restore Colombia among football’s elite.

One nation will leave Vancouver matching its greatest World Cup achievement and moving within one victory of the semi-finals. The other will depart wondering how another promising campaign slipped away.

For two teams who have quietly gone about their business throughout this tournament, the spotlight now shines brighter than ever.

Arlington, United States: Cristiano Ronaldo laboured through his last World Cup match Monday as the dream of winning the biggest prize of all ended in a 1-0 defeat to Spain and left him fighting back tears.

The 41-year-old Portugal captain and one of the best players of all time says he will now go away and think about what comes next.

He has won it all in a trophy-laden career at some of Europe's biggest clubs, and tasted European glory with his country.

But among his bulging trophy cabinet there will be no World Cup winners medal, and he was largely ineffectual as he huffed and puffed through a disappointing last-16 clash in Texas.

"That's football, that's the life of a footballer," he said, struggling to raise his voice above the crushing disappointment.

"Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, and you have to move on."

Ronaldo, the leading scorer in the history of men's international football, said he would leave the World Cup stage "with a clear conscience".

"The truth is, the biggest title I won with the national team was in 2016 (Euros), which for me is just as significant as a World Cup, honestly," he said.

Ronaldo's best World Cup will always remain the semi-finals 20 years ago.

His display in a disappointing game summed up what the veteran talisman has become in recent years -- a shadow of the player that one struck fear into opponents.

He had three attempts at goal and was a peripheral figure playing through the centre of an ineffectual Portugal attack.

He scored three times at the tournament in North America in his World Cup farewell -- twice in a 5-0 thrashing of Uzbekistan and a penalty against Croatia in the last 32.

Ronaldo did not register a single assist at the tournament and at one point against Spain threw his hands up in the air as a team-mate's pass went astray.

He left the pitch at the home of the Dallas Cowboys on his own.

Billionaire footballer

Ronaldo went from growing up in a poor family on the island of Madeira, with an alcoholic father, to become a global superstar.

His eternal thirst for records coupled with a relentless drive for self-improvement and tireless devotion to his art sustained him into his 40s.

Off the field he is a phenomenon too -- the first billionaire footballer, boasting 671 million followers on Instagram and his "Siuuu!" celebration mimicked by star-struck children the world over.

But there was to be no Hollywood-style World Cup happy ending for the attacker, who played first for Sporting Lisbon, before becoming a global icon at Manchester United.

After six years and Champions League glory there he lit up the Bernabeu with Real Madrid, where he conquered Europe four more times.

Then came Juventus, a stint back at United, and now the figurehead of Saudi Arabia's bid for footballing respectability at Al Nassr.

His many accolades and prizes also include five Ballon d'Ors.

In recent years the narrative around Ronaldo has shifted.

With his powers on the wane and lacking the mesmerising turn of foot and pace that were once his hallmark, he moved from the wings to a more traditional number nine role.

Ronaldo and Portugal coach Roberto Martinez have been accused of dragging his international career out beyond its sell-by date.

Martinez made two double changes late on as they chased the game against Spain, but Ronaldo remained on the pitch regardless.

Speaking on the eve of the match, Ronaldo insisted: "I am not going to be more Cristiano Ronaldo or less because I win the World Cup."

حقق الثنائي القطري شريف يونس وأحمد تيجان إنجازًا جديدًا يضاف إلى سجل الكرة الطائرة الشاطئية القطرية، بعد اختيارهما أفضل لاعبي كرة طائرة شاطئية للرجال في آسيا ضمن جوائز الاتحاد الآسيوي للكرة الطائرة (AVC Gala 2026) في نسختها الأولى.
وجاء هذا التكريم تقديرًا للمستويات المتميزة والنتائج البارزة التي حققها الثنائي القطري خلال الموسم، ومواصلة حضورهما القوي على الساحة الدولية، بما يعكس المكانة المرموقة التي وصلت إليها الكرة الطائرة الشاطئية القطرية على المستويين القاري والعالمي.
ومن المقرر أن يتم تكريم شريف يونس وأحمد تيجان رسميًا خلال حفل جوائز AVC Gala 2026، الذي سيقام في العاصمة التايلاندية بانكوك يوم 8 أغسطس 2026، بحضور نخبة من نجوم الكرة الطائرة في القارة الآسيوية، احتفاءً بأبرز الإنجازات والتميز في اللعبة.
ويؤكد هذا الإنجاز المكانة الرائدة التي تحتلها دولة قطر في رياضة الكرة الطائرة الشاطئية، والنجاحات المتواصلة التي يحققها لاعبو المنتخب الوطني في مختلف البطولات القارية والدولية.