Argentina face Egypt as World Cup last 16 brings Ronaldo farewell

Argentina will play Egypt in Atlanta for a World Cup quarterfinal place, while Switzerland and Colombia meet in Vancouver on the same day, the Associated Press reported. The round of 16 has also brought the end of Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career, a United States exit and Kylian Mbappe’s public response to racist comments by a Paraguayan senator, according to AP.

AP reported that Argentina’s match against Egypt is scheduled for Tuesday at Atlanta Stadium at noon local time, or 16:00 GMT. Switzerland’s game against Colombia is set for Tuesday at BC Place in Vancouver at 1pm local time, or 20:00 GMT, according to AP.

Opta favours Argentina and Colombia

Opta’s supercomputer gives Argentina a 69.1 percent chance of beating Egypt in 90 minutes, based on 25,000 pre-match simulations cited by AP. Opta put Egypt’s chance of a regulation-time win at 12.3 percent, with 18.5 percent of simulations ending level and sending the match to extra time.

AP reported that Argentina and Egypt last met in a 2008 friendly in Cairo, where Argentina won 2-0 through goals from Sergio Aguero and Nicolas Burdisso. Lionel Messi missed that game because of injury, according to AP.

For Switzerland against Colombia, Opta narrowly favours the South American side. AP reported that Colombia won 41.9 percent of Opta’s 25,000 simulations in 90 minutes, compared with 28.2 percent for Switzerland and 29.9 percent for a draw.

AP said the teams’ most recent meeting came in March 2007, when Colombia beat Switzerland 3-1 in a friendly. Edixon Perea, Jhon Viafara and Andres Chitiva scored for Colombia in that match, according to AP.

Ronaldo confirms his last World Cup

Ronaldo said after Portugal’s defeat that he had played in his final World Cup, AP reported. The 41-year-old forward said he was sad to leave the tournament in that manner, had given everything he could and would take time with his family before making further decisions.

AP reported that Ronaldo did not say whether he had also played his final match for Portugal. His World Cup career covered six editions of the tournament, according to AP.

United States knocked out by Belgium

The United States were eliminated on Monday after Belgium won 4-1, AP reported. Charles De Ketelaere scored twice and assisted another goal as Belgium moved into the quarterfinals, according to AP.

AP reported that Christian Pulisic suffered an ankle injury, goalkeeper Matt Freese made a costly error and coach Mauricio Pochettino showed his frustration near the bench. Tyler Adams said the defeat hurt because the United States had a chance to advance and fell short, according to AP.

Folarin Balogun returned after FIFA lifted his red-card suspension, but AP reported that the United States were punished for defensive mistakes. Two first-half errors helped Belgium take control before another mistake by Freese in the second half, according to AP.

Hassan and Mbappe use platform to speak out

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan spoke about Palestinians during a news conference before the Argentina match, AP reported. Hassan, who had held up a Palestinian flag after Egypt beat Australia, said people who did not feel for Palestinians were not human, according to AP.

AP reported that Hassan compared global concern over civilian suffering in Gaza with concern for animal welfare and said mass death should not become normal. Egypt are seeking their first World Cup quarterfinal appearance, according to AP.

Mbappe criticised Paraguayan Senator Celeste Amarilla after she made racist remarks following Paraguay’s round-of-16 loss to France, AP reported. Mbappe called her comments despicable and said she was unworthy of office, according to AP.

AP reported that Amarilla later deleted the posts and sent an open letter to Mbappe, saying she regretted using insults that she had experienced as a mixed-race person. France will face Morocco in the quarterfinals on Thursday, according to AP.

This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.