Argentina vs Egypt: Lionel Messi and Mo Salah go head-to-head with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals up for grabs

One of the main narrative threads that seems to have taken over the 2026 World Cup is this idea of 'the last dance'.

So many superstars are making what appear certain to be their final appearances at the World Cup finals and are doing everything to show up. None more so than Lionel Messi.

With seven goals in just four matches this summer, the Argentine is looking to add a fourth star to his country's shirt - and in doing so help them become the first nation in 64 years to successfully defend their crown.

However, they came close to stumbling in the last 32 whey they faced off with Cape Verde, whose fairy-tale journey almost continued at the expense of Lionel Scaloni's side.

While Messi broke more records, there were defensive vulnerabilities that a world-class attacker would lick their lips at. Someone like Mohamed Salah.

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This is more than likely Salah's last dance at a World Cup, too. And while he may not have been as prolific this summer, he has made history in his own right: becoming the first Egyptian captain to win a knockout game at the World Cup is something to be proud of.

He played his part in that by scoring a delectable panenka in the shoot-out against Australia, showing that his composure is still operating at an elite level.

We know what Salah is all about by this point. But could that be a problem that holds Egypt back from yet more history?

Does Salah need to be less of a focal point to hurt Argentina?

We have seen over the last three international tournaments that Cristiano Ronaldo has struggled to find form leading the line for Portugal. The truth is, despite all the talent Roberto Martinez has at his disposal, it is is difficult to escape the impression that team-mates attempt to cater to him.

That was especially noticeable against DR Congo in their opening game this summer. On several occasions, Portugal players passed up opportunities to instead service Ronaldo. And opponents can see it coming.

In the same vein, other teams know Salah is often the main attacking threat in big games. As a result, he can be left isolated and struggles to make the same impact. He was practically anonymous against Australia for that very reason. The Socceroos marshalled him so well that his team-mates could barely get him involved.

Yes, he was contending with a hamstring injury, but it isn't the first time at a major finals has suffered from this. It happens to him repeatedly in major finals.

Why is his record in finals important? This is only the Round of 16, true, but every game at a World Cup is like a final for Egypt. Their goal of finally winning a knockout game has loaded a final-esque importance onto every game they have played. They have to do well in the groups to progress, and then need to win in the knockout stages should they get there.

They may have finally got over that hump against Australia, but that had little to do with the Salah effect.

In finals, Salah has scored just two goals in 11 appearances and none from open play. It's a poor record for a player of his class. In comparison, three in six World Cup games doesn't sound too terrible, but two of those goals have come in defeats so it means little.

He is seen as a difference maker and when teams are fighting to make sure they don't lose, the easiest thing to do is try and stop the channel that Salah is operating in.

The same thought process could easily apply to handling Messi given how influential he is. However, he manages to create space for himself by being more of a link player: Dropping deep, connecting with play from more central areas, and then punishing teams who can't keep up with his movement.

Salah's tendency to operate primarily as a focal point off the right flank limits him. In games like this where he is going to be targeted, he has to get more involved in different areas to be less predictable.

He has the quality to do so. In essence, he has to become more like Messi in order to hurt Messi.

Salah's record shows he can shine under bright lights

Over the last decade, Salah has been one of the most clinical forwards in Europe.

During his time in the Premier League, he faced the other five members of the traditional 'big six' 113 times. Over that period, he managed 89 goal involvements. That's the best return from any player during that time frame. That includes 21 in 26 against Manchester City and 13 in 18 against Arsenal - the two teams Liverpool tended to be battling for silverware against.

His record in the Champions League is just as impressive. Since the start of the 2017/18 season, only Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski have more goal involvements. Messi is below him on that list, too, although he moved stateside in 2023

You look at that and think that if Salah can perform to the level he is capable of, he could steer Egypt to a most famous win, even if he is coming off his least productive season in a decade. However, he needs to be at least two-dimensional to make that happen against this level of opposition.