Lionel Messi is expected to recover from a head injury sustained against Cape Verde as Argentina prepare to face Egypt in the World Cup last-16 on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. The defending champions advanced after a dramatic 3-2 extra-time victory over the minnows in Miami.
Messi's injury and recovery
Messi suffered a blow to the head during the match but played the full 120 minutes at Hard Rock Stadium. The 39-year-old Inter Miami star opened the scoring in the 29th minute. Lautaro Martinez added a goal in the second minute of extra time after Deroy Duarte forced extra time. Sidny Lopes Cabral equalized for Cape Verde, but an own goal from Diney in the 111th minute secured Argentina's progress.
Other injury concerns
Defender Facundo Medina was substituted due to cramp, but manager Lionel Scaloni confirmed he is fine. “He finished very tired because we also used him quite a bit in attack. He ended up cramping, but he’s okay,” Scaloni said.
Predicted lineup
Scaloni has settled on a 4-4-2 formation with a strong Premier League core. Aston Villa's Emi Martinez starts in goal, with Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martinez at center-back. Nahuel Molina and Medina are the full-backs. Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister pair in midfield, while Rodrigo De Paul and Thiago Almada operate as wide midfielders. Messi and Lautaro Martinez lead the attack, with Atletico Madrid's Julian Alvarez on the bench.
Predicted Argentina XI (4-4-2): Martinez; Molina, Romero, Martinez, Medina; De Paul, Fernandez, Mac Allister, Almada; Messi, Martinez
Doubt: Medina
Match details
- Date and time: 5pm BST on Tuesday, July 7, 2026
- Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta
- How to watch: ITV
