World Cup 2026: Round of 16 - Day 4

Today we closed out the Round of 16 at this edition of the World Cup. We had Messi vs Salah to open the day followed by two tough sides in Switzerland and Colombia. Here are my thoughts and takeaways from another day at this incredible World Cup:

Argentina 3-2 Egypt

It's just getting crazy at this point. Another dramatic finish and another controversy. Here's how we got there:

Egypt came out with no fear and created some early chances. They were rewarded for their approach in the 15th minute when Yasser Ibrahim headed home a Marwan Ateya cross after a short corner. It marked the first time Argentina had trailed at a World Cup since their loss to Saudi Arabia in 2022. Less than five minutes later, they were awarded a penalty and a shot to immediately equalize. Lionel Messi stepped up but produced a tame effort that was saved by Mostafa Shobeir. Argentina created several chances to bring the game level before halftime but Egypt were bailed out by Shobeir and his post.

The second half began relatively even but we had the controversial moment just before the hour mark. Egypt produced a brilliant counter-attack that Zico finished off to give his side a 2-0 lead. But VAR stepped in (of course) and disallowed the goal for a foul that occurred all the way back at the other end of the field. It was an extremely harsh call in my opinion and it begs the question of whether or not it would have been called had the teams been reversed. Either way, Egypt got their 2-0 lead in the 67th minute when Zico finished off another counter. This one would not be called back.

Argentina looked like they were on the ropes. But then they reminded us who they were. Cristian Romero headed in from a Messi cross in the 79th and four minutes later, Messi would fire his team level after Egypt failed to properly clear the ball out of their box. Then in stoppage time, Egypt were caught with too many players up field and Argentina went down the other end and got a winner. Lautaro Martinez crossed for Enzo Fernandez who headed it into the corner. Comeback complete.

I expected Argentina to look better from the start in this one. The Cape Verde game should have woken them up. But Argentina were very close to going out of this tournament. It would have been a disaster. Maybe they did get something out of the Cape Verde game though: inspiration from the Blue Sharks and their never say die attitude. Still, Argentina need to be better going forward. They can't expect Messi to bail them out of every game. Not against the best opponents.

Egypt should feel hard done by here. Even though they got their goal to go 2-0 up anyway, the first one that was called back was just something that VAR should not be used for. Still, their collapse in this game was their undoing. You can't blow a 2-0 lead like that late in the second half. Overall though, this was a successful tournament for Egypt. I think if you told them coming in that they'd advance out of their group, win in the Round of 32, and then lose to a tournament favorite, they would take it. This was Egypt's fourth appearance at a World Cup and they got their first ever win. Something to build on.

Switzerland 0-0 Colombia (4-3 pks)

Well that was certainly a way to end the Round of 16. It was a tight, defensive game that provided few really clear cut chances. It's what I expected heading into it. Colombia were the stronger team in the first half but Switzerland came into the game a bit towards the end of the first 45. The second half was pretty much the opposite with Switzerland starting better but Colombia improving near the end. The 90 minutes ended with Colombia producing 0.4xG and Switzerland with 0.3xG. Not exactly enthralling stuff.

Extra time provided a little more excitement, though neither team could get the breakthrough. In the 99th minute, Jhon Lucumi headed off the crossbar for Colombia from a corner. Two minutes later, Jaminton Campaz saw his shot saved well by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel. In the 104th, Zeki Amdouni came close for Switzerland. And Campaz would fire over the crossbar in the 116th. We would then head to penalties.

It was level at 2-2 after three rounds with Davinson Sanchez missing Colombia's second and Manuel Akanji missing Switzerland's third. In the fourth round, Juan Hernandez would miss for Colombia and Cedric Itten would make his for Switzerland, making it 3-2. Luis Diaz converted in the fifth round but so did Ruben Vargas for the Swiss to take it 4-3.

It's a tough way to go out for Colombia. But as I said in the previous blog, they were just not clinical enough. Defensively they were great. Colombia leave the World Cup having only conceded once. It was in their 3-1 win over Uzbekistan in the opener. Since that game though, they only went on to score two goals. That won't get it done.

Switzerland just keep chugging along. They've conceded 3 goals across their 5 games at this World Cup. Their attack has been pretty good as well but they were missing young star Johan Manzambi today. He left training with an injury the day before the game. Switzerland will need him to have a chance at upsetting Argentina next round. It remains to be seen if he'll be available.

Thursday Prediction

France 3-2 Morocco

• I think we see another classic in this World Cup. Morocco are looking for revenge after losing the 2022 Semifinal to France 2-0. This Morocco team is even better then they were in that tournament but so are France. In the end, France's star power will be too much to overcome. I could see a late Mbappe winner

That's all for the Round of 16. It was another great set of games, especially on this side of the bracket that saw Norway, England, Argentina, and Switzerland advance. The drama only increases from here and I can't wait to get back to it on Thursday. Until then!