Argentina 0-1 Egypt Half Time Thoughts: Pharaohs Lead After Another Messi Penalty Blunder

The first 45 minutes of the penultimate Round of 16 tie between Argentina and Egypt have concluded.

A scrappy first ten minutes saw both sides struggle to get a hold of the game, with misplaced passes rushed decisions seeing little chances created.

The scoring was eventually opened by the Egyptians with 15 minutes on the clock. Hossam Hassan's men had a clear game plan, utilising outswinging crosses into the Argentina penalty area. A cross from wide swung in by Marwan Ateya landed on the head of Yasser Ibrahim who escaped from Lisandro Martinez at the back post. His header back across goal nestled in the far corner leaving Emiliano Martinez helpless.

The Argentines were desperate to reply, upping the intensity straight away. Their efforts paid off as Nicolas Tagliafico made an overlapping run behind the Egyptian defence into the penalty area, where the tracking back Haissem Hassan's lunging challenge brought down the Lyon fullback.

Lionel Messi stepped up to the spot looking to rectify his penalty miss against the Austrians in the group stage, but he was faulted once again. A poor penalty to Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir's left hand side was saved leaving the Argentinian fans stunned.

La Albiceleste continued to push as a header from Alexis Mac Allister forced another great save from Shobeir. Shortly followed by Lionel Messi's free kick from over 30 yards out striking the left post.

More followed as Tagliafico made another threatening run. He was fond with a brilliant diagonal ball as the fullback's first time cutback landed in the path of Julian Alvarez. His strike drilled low and right forced another magnificent save from Shobeir who somehow got down quick enough.

The Argentines have work to do in the second half with the Egyptians looking to match them physically in a game to face either Colombia or Switzerland in the quarter finals.