Argentina vs. Egypt: World Cup holders "are in danger of being punished" in round of 16

Ahead of Argentina's last-16 clash with Egypt astatine the 2026 World Cup, Sports Mole's Senior Reporter Oliver Thomas discusses the South American nation.

Oliver Thomas, Senior Reporter: "You cannot instrumentality anyone for granted"

Argentina truly did scrape past the heroic debutants Cape Verde and avoided what would person been 1 of the biggest shocks successful World Cup history. 

There were 62 places successful the rankings betwixt these 2 nations heading into this game and you would not person thought that watching it. 

Cape Verde really amazed everyone with however they performed. Nobody expected them to vie arsenic good arsenic they have done astatine this tournament. 

They spell retired with their heads held precocious and did not really suffer a azygous crippled in 90 minutes. Four draws successful full and lone losing to Argentina successful other time. 

They merit each the plaudits that travel their way. As for Argentina, they truly had to excavation heavy for that victory. Cape Verde would not judge defeat. 

Argentina had 2 goals cancelled out. Cape Verde scored that stunning extremity successful other clip but successful the end Argentina recovered a mode to compression done to the past 16. 

Looking astatine the lucifer momentum, Argentina did predominate throughout. They had 52 touches successful the opposition's box to Cape Verde's 16. 

They besides had doubly arsenic galore shots, astir 65 percent possession, and a greater expected goals figure. Argentina did much than capable to triumph this lucifer but surely did not sail done to the past 16. 

They were truly made to enactment for that victory. This was expected to be, connected paper, a fairly routine fixture for Argentina. 

Now they travel up against an Egypt broadside who are stronger than Cape Verde and person much players playing astatine a higher level. 

Could Argentina beryllium successful for different tricky trial here? This crippled has conscionable proven erstwhile again that radical request to expect the unexpected. 

You cannot instrumentality anyone for granted. As overmuch arsenic you whitethorn beryllium the favourites for a peculiar game, you have to be connected it and execute astatine your best.

If show levels gaffe by adjacent a fraction, you are successful information of being punished, arsenic has been seen by immoderate of these teams already astatine the World Cup. As ascendant arsenic they were, Argentina maybe got away with it somewhat successful this game.