Egypt reach the last 16 for the first time, beating Australia on penalties; Messi awaits

In the shootout, Salah floated his penalty straight down the middle as goalkeeper Mat Ryan dived to his left. Australia had already faltered: Harry Souttar sent the opening kick over the bar, and 18-year-old Lucas Herrington rattled the crossbar with the fourth. Hossam Abdelmaguid buried the decisive kick to make it 4-2. At the final whistle, captain Salah was in tears. For Australia, it was the country's first-ever penalty shootout defeat at a World Cup.

It was the first knockout-round win Egypt has ever managed at a World Cup. Across its appearances in 1934, 1990, 2018 and 2026, Egypt had never climbed out of the group stage. Reaching the round of 16 was new; winning once there was newer still. In the group phase Egypt beat New Zealand 3-1 - Salah among the scorers - and gathered the points to force the door open.

The match itself was a back-and-forth. Emam Ashour headed Egypt in front in the first half, Australia drew level through a Mohamed Hany own goal, and neither side could break the 1-1 deadlock across 120 minutes at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Egypt did not always control the game, but they held firm through extra time and delivered from twelve yards.

Waiting in the last 16 is Messi's Argentina. Multiple outlets report the tie will be played on July 7 local time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, in the early hours of July 8 Japan time. Messi, 39, against Salah, 34 - two players who defined an era and still anchor their sides, meeting head to head. Salah's World Cup footprint had long been slighter than his Liverpool record, but he scored from the group stage on and carried Egypt to the country's first knockout stage. Argentina had no easy passage either: the holders scraped a 3-2 win over debutants Cape Verde on the same day. This tournament has kept turning on veteran exits and survivals - Modric's Croatia went out only the day before.

Colombia also went through on July 4, beating Ghana 1-0. Jhon Arias struck in the 14th minute, set up by Luis Suarez, who had come on only in the 8th - the fastest goal involvement by a substitute in World Cup history, according to Opta. Captain James Rodriguez, quiet in the first half, was withdrawn at the break. With that, all 16 first-round knockout matches are complete and the last 16 is set.