Apologies for being a few days late but I am going to recap (almost) every game in this tournament...it might be badly, but it still counts.

So catching up we have the last of the Round of 16 matches from midweek that set up the last of the quarterfinals tomorrow.

ARGENTINA 3, EGYPT 2

The Pharaohs had this one in the bag until they didn't. Yassir Ibrahim's early header 15 minutes in had Egypt in front but disaster struck five minutes later when Haissem Hassan upended Nicolas Tagliafico in the area only to see Lionel Messi's ensuing penalty stonewalled by Mostafa Shobeir.

Egypt thought they had gotten a second at the hour mark only for it to be chalked off for a foul that started the build-up, replays showing Lisandro Martinez losing possession while getting partially stepped on. The Pharaohs would get their second not long after, however, with Hassan making amends and centering for a streaking Mostafa Zico who powered home the second in the middle of the box.

Argentina then started the comeback; Cristian Romero's header in the 79th couldn't be pawed out by Shobirin, who was generally excellent on the day, with four saves, only able to push the ball one-handed into the side netting. Shobeir then got a massive piece of Messi's shot four minutes later, but also could not keep out the equalizer as a wicked half volley found the underside of the bar and went in.

The winner, however, was a calamity in stoppage time, as Egypt gave up a 2v2 situation late, with Lautaro Martinez having all the time in the world on the right wing to cross into the box for Enzo Fernandez who beat his marker and headed into the wide open far post netting.

Egypt heavily protested for claims of a penalty and other decisions in the later stages of the game, and there certainly should have been a few cards for Argentina in this one the gripes are not unwarranted, but the goals they allowed were legitimate. They should have been in full control of this game and simply lost focus defensively, while Argentina showed that they've been in the knockouts before.

SWITZERLAND 0 (4), COLOMBIA 0 (3) - PKs

There were two ways this game was going to go - a fairly fun back-and-forth affair where someone scores a late winner...or it was going to be 0-0. We got the latter.

It did not help the Swiss cause that youngster Johan Manzambi, with three goals and two assists to his name this tournament, missed the match due to injury (and is going to miss the quarterfinal as well). A meager 2-for-7 shooting performance on the day generated just 0.39 xG, while Colombia fared a little better with Los Cafeteros 3-for-15 game, including two posts and two big chances, including Jaminton,Campaz's late shot over the bar in the 115th minute of extra time.

Penalties however, always seemed to be in the cards for this one and I hated all of it:

Congrats to the Swiss, who have been one of those consistent Round of 16 type teams that seem to be snakebit all the time in the knockouts. I think they're a live upset against Argentina, who have not been spectacular at times in this tournament, and the Red Crosses should be well disciplined defensively to frustrate them. It's the attacking end they have to figure out and get Breel Embolo heavily involved.

A bummer for Colombia, who go out allowing just a single goal in this tournament (to Uzbekistan!), but this is the dangerous game that they play by keeping the scorelines low. They had a chance to steal it late, but alas, they go home in the Round of 16 for the second time in as many appearances, equaling their 2018 performance (they were a DNQ in 2022) when they took England to PKs.

UPCOMING MATCHES

Argentina and Switzerland will have the nightcap in tomorrow's quarterfinal doubleheader when they meet in Kansas City at 9 pm US Eastern.

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