Well, that wasn’t fun. The USMNT stunk it up against Belgium in the Round of 16, falling 4-1 in Seattle as its World Cup came to an end. The good news? If you’re looking for a great away to chase away that disappointment, the last four teams in the final 16 take the pitch this afternoon.
Game one will be the headliner: Lionel Messi and Argentina vs. Mo Salah and Egypt at Mercedes-Benz Stadium (follow us on social for updates from the Benz – links at the bottom of this post). Game two in Vancouver features Switzerland, looking to snap over 70 years of disappointment, and Colombia, a win away from matching its best tournament run in 12 years.
Argentina vs. Egypt, noon ET, Atlanta
How Argentina got to the Round of 16
Things looked relatively easy for the defending champions in the group stage. That’s until they faced Cabo Verde in the Round of 32. Despite everything La Albirroja threw at the Blue Sharks, they responded until Diney Borges’s own goal in the 111th minute saw Argentina through to Atlanta. Messi and co. will certainly treat that one as a massive wakeup call as they face the Pharaohs with a third trip to the quarterfinals on the line.
How Egypt got to the Round of 16
Things have been anything but easy for Egypt this World Cup: it led Belgium in the group stage before Mohamed Hany’s own goal saw the match end in a 1-1 draw. It then beat New Zealand before playing Iran to a 1-1 stalemate. In the Round of 32, it led Australia until Hany conceded his second own goal of the tournament in the 55th minute, but ultimately emerged in penalties. Anything less than 100 percent for a side that had never won a knockout stage match before this World Cup could mean a trip back home.
Where to watch Argentina vs. Egypt
FOX/FOX One (English); Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish)
Switzerland vs. Colombia, 4 p.m. ET, Vancouver
How Switzerland got to the Round of 16
Switzerland’s hit a bit of a second gear after a shock 1-1 draw against Qatar to open group play, beating Canada 4-1 before a 2-1 win over Canada. It then topped Algeria 2-0 in the Round of 32 behind goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye. A win would put the Swiss in the quarterfinals for the first time since 1954.
How Colombia got to the Round of 16
Colombia, seeking a first quarterfinal appearance since 2014, beat Uzbekistan and DR Congo before drawing Portugal in the group stage. It beat Ghana 1-0 in the Round of 32, but the scoreline massively flattered a Black Stars team that put zero shots on target while allowing eight SOGs of their own. That’s been a theme for Los Cafeteros, who had eight shots on goal in the 1-0 win over DR Congo before six SOGs in the 0-0 draw against Portugal.
Where to watch Switzerland vs. Colombia
FOX/FOX One (English); Telemundo/Peacock (Spanish)
Can’t make it to Argentina vs. Egypt today? Metro Atlanta World Cup festivities are carrying on all throughout the region. Here’s a list of places you can watch all the World Cup action, along with a map.
If you’re in Atlanta to see games in person (or headed to the semifinal on July 15), check out our World Cup guide, which gives you information on where to stay, what to do, see, and eat, along with how to get around using MARTA.