Following a Monday filled with off-field discussions, including the controversy surrounding Folarin Balogun’s eligibility and alleged White House intervention, alongside a separate incident involving Kylian Mbappé and a Paraguayan senator, the spotlight returned to the pitch on Tuesday, July 7. Two compelling Round of 16 matchups were scheduled to conclude this phase of the tournament. The opening game saw Messi’s Argentina triumph over Egypt with a narrow 3-2 scoreline. Later, at 10 PM, Switzerland was set to face Colombia in a decisive encounter for the final quarter-final berth.

• Belgium silences Balogun controversy. The Red Devils delivered a commanding 4-1 performance against the United States in their Round of 16 clash. Goals from Charles De Kaetelere (a brace), Hans Vanaken, and Romelu Lukaku in stoppage time sealed their victory. American forward Folarin Balogun, whose controversial authorization to play followed an intervention from Donald Trump to FIFA, started for Team USA but failed to make a significant impact on the game. In a celebratory video circulating online, the entire Belgian squad humorously mimicked the American president’s signature ‘YMCA’ dance in their locker room, celebrating their advancement to the World Cup quarter-finals.
• Spain edges out Portugal in a drab affair. What promised to be an exciting fixture ultimately delivered little entertainment. After a prolonged and uninspiring contest, Spain emerged victorious over Portugal with a solitary goal from Merino in extra time, securing a 1-0 win. This outcome likely signals the end of the international career for 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who has faced criticism regarding his perceived negative influence on the squad’s play.
• Switzerland and Colombia to complete the Round of 16. The final match of the day, scheduled for 10 PM, appears finely balanced, despite the South American side’s impressive showing against Portugal during the group stage. The game is currently at halftime, with the score deadlocked at 0-0.
• Egypt coach laments ‘neither just nor fair’ treatment. Egypt’s coach, Hossam Hassan, expressed his strong disapproval, calling the treatment of his team ‘neither just nor fair’ during their 3-2 Round of 16 loss to Argentina. Hassan’s Pharaohs had been leading 2-0 with only ten minutes left. He further claimed, “One of our goals was disallowed, and we don’t know why. We were very close to making it 3-1, and there was a foul on Hamdy Fathy,” referring to a disputed incident in the Argentine penalty area.
• Argentina’s dramatic comeback. The Argentine squad orchestrated a remarkable turnaround in their match against Egypt. Trailing 2-0 against a confident Egyptian side, they ultimately secured a 3-2 victory with goals from Romero, Messi, and Fernandez. Enzo Fernandez, specifically, headed in a precise cross from Lisandro Martinez, putting Argentina ahead 3-2 and securing their place in the World Cup 2026 quarter-finals. Lionel Messi, instrumental in this remarkable victory, emphasized his team’s unwavering spirit, stating they “never give up,” even after such a deficit. He described the team’s performance as “crazy” and expressed his joy that fans could continue to witness such moments.