Egypt advance on penalties as Argentina survive Cape Verde scare in World Cup round of 32

Egypt reached the FIFA World Cup round of 16 on July 3, 2026, after a 1-1 draw with Australia was settled 4-2 on penalties, while defending champions Argentina needed extra time to defeat Cape Verde 3-2 on the same night.

Both knockout ties finished level after 90 minutes. Australia's opening spot-kick in the shootout sailed over the bar before Mohamed Salah struck his penalty down the middle with confidence. Set-piece goals decided much of the Egypt–Australia contest, and analysts on the panel felt Egypt deserved to advance once the match went the distance.

Damian Ferguson, assistant coach at Mount Pleasant Academy and a former Jamaica College technical director, had forecast an Egypt win from the penalty spot. He praised Australia's defensive structure under a coach who took charge roughly 18 months earlier, but questioned the late goalkeeper change before the shootout, when Ryan replaced the starter and failed to make a save. Ferguson noted that such switches can look inspired or costly, recalling that Mount Pleasant had tried the same approach and lost.

Argentina's win over Cape Verde was harder fought. Lionel Messi scored, Lautaro Martínez added a goal and an assist, and a Borges own goal counted among Argentina's three. Cape Verde replied through Jerson Cabral and pushed the world champions through nearly 120 minutes. The decisive strike was officially recorded as an own goal off a defender, not a Christian Romero finish. Messi's seventh goal of the tournament left him atop the Golden Boot standings.

Former Trinidad and Tobago international Brent Sancho, who represented his country at the 2006 World Cup, hailed Cape Verde's composure and transition play. Ferguson said their compact 4-1-4-1 shape denied Argentina central access and forced play wide, though Messi's finish from a long Martínez pass showed individual quality breaking a tight block.

Panelists also noted Germany and the Netherlands exiting on penalties, with Julian Nagelsmann stepping down and Ronald Koeman's future in doubt. Rashida Murphy named Messi, Imam Ashour and Cabral among her standout performers and criticised Australia's penalty order, including a centre-back and a teenage MLS player from the spot; Ferguson and Sancho largely agreed the goalkeeper switch mattered more.

Discussion turned to Croatia's late disallowed goal against Portugal, where ball-sensor data sparked debate over whether a touch was clear. Sancho, who has visited FIFA's technology unit in Switzerland, said officiating aids will keep expanding at the top level, while Ferguson warned lower leagues still lack the same tools.

Round of 16 fixtures on July 4, 2026, include Canada versus Morocco at 12:00 p.m. and Paraguay versus France at 4:00 p.m.