Defending champions Argentina needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2, while Egypt played the full 120 minutes against Australia.
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Argentina and Egypt meet in the last 16 in Atlanta on Tuesday. Both teams have been through a tough mental and physical test ahead of the match. Neither has had a chance to rest. Defending champions Argentina needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2. Egypt played the full 120 minutes against Australia.
Egypt won 4-2 on penalties after regulation and extra time ended in a draw. The match has forced both teams to reflect on their weaknesses, especially Argentina. Argentina was under pressure against Cape Verde for the first time in this World Cup and it was proven that a team's weaknesses can be exploited.
Lionel Scolani's team, who had an impressive group stage performance, has raised a question mark over their performance against Cape Verde. It begs the question: did Argentina just make a mistake in this game or is there a real weakness in the team? Former Argentina player Sergio Aguero has raised similar questions. He says, ‘The team has had very little rest and that is a concern.’
According to him, most of the Argentine players are not only physically tired, but also going through problems.
He adds, ‘Egypt is a physically strong team and is ahead of Cape Verde in terms of quality.’ Lionel Messi himself also responded that he was tired after the match against Cape Verde. According to him, it is difficult to play at a high pace continuously.
If Cape Verde’s brave performance has inspired anyone the most, it is Egypt. The North African country will depend in many ways on one player. That will be Mohamed Salah. Another key player, Omar Marmos, will also have to improve his game for Egypt.
How fully fit Salah is for Egypt will also be important. He struggled a bit in the match against Australia. "The game against Egypt will definitely not be easy," says Argentine midfielder Leonardo Paredes. "We are playing in a big tournament like the World Cup and all the countries participating in it are equally strong in terms of quality. Egypt is also mentally and physically strong." The team that wins this match will face the winner of the match between Switzerland and Colombia.
