Andy Schooler previews the remaining last-16 ties at the FIFA World Cup 2026, which take place on Tuesday.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Huge July 7th 2026 Preview
Argentina were made to sweat by Cape Verde in the last round and will hope that they can raise their level of performance here. They were more than good enough in the group stage and, to be fair, the African minnows scored two top-class goals to push them all the way. On another day, they’d have still have done enough to win in 90 minutes.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Argentina v Egypt (ITV, 5pm)
Egypt don’t look a great step up. They needed penalties to get past a limited Australian side in the last 32 and they’ve conceded in all four matches thus far. Their chance of keeping out Lionel Messi and co seems small. Those looking to get with Argentina in some way should note that nearly everything involves Messi.
He has seven goals so far, while his tally of 24 shots dwarfs that of his team-mates – Enzo Fernandez comes next in that particular list with six. Away from the star man, a source of goals could be set-plays. As I wrote the other day, Egypt are not at their best when defending such situations and both Lisandro Martinez and Cristian Romero found the net from corners against Cape Verde.
Romero, who scored six set-piece goals for Spurs this season, is an 8.5 shot for a goal, which looks fair for those seeking a big price. However, for my top pick, I’m going back towards Messi for a related bet, albeit one that doesn’t directly involve the 39-year-old. Marwan Attia secured this column a winner back in the opening week of the tournament when he was carded against Belgium.
As a defensive midfielder, he’s going to be very much in the Messi firing line, trying to stop the little maestro, while the likes of Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister are players who won’t be backing down from any challenges in that area of the field. Attia has now been carded in 10 of his 24 international starts and this looks an awkward assignment for him to negotiate. Francois Letexier probably isn’t the greatest appointment in terms of a referee but neither is he the worst. He’s shown four cards in both World Cup games so far and hit the 4+ mark in three of four at his previous tournament, Euro 2024.
World Cup 2026: Switzerland v Colombia (ITV, 9pm)
Colombia start favourites here and that’s probably right. They’ve conceded only one goal so far and finished top of a group which included Portugal. Essentially, they’ve done everything asked of them and now have a winnable last-16 tie. However, don’t rule out the Swiss. They’ve also progressed pretty comfortably so far, albeit from a weaker group.
Johan Manzambi has come into the side and has lit up the tournament with his goals and assists. Sadly, he assisted but didn’t score when I put him up in the last round. The man he set up, Breel Embolo, now has 11 goals in his last 16 internationals, so the goal threat is there to test what has been a pretty solid Colombian defence.
Having been substituted at half time against Ghana in the last round, James Rodriguez has allayed fears about a possible virus, saying the move was simply tactical and he looks set to play here. That is good news for his side and, in particular, Luis Diaz, who can benefit from the former Real Madrid man’s supply line. Diaz got into some cracking goalscoring positions against Ghana but couldn’t finish things off on that occasion.
Still, he scored against Uzbekistan and has now netted in 12 of his last 30 for his country. At this tournament, he leads the way for his side in terms of shots – 16 so far. With Colombia still seemingly unsure of who to field at centre forward – one of their weaknesses – Diaz looks arguably their liveliest goal threat and an anytime scorer price north of 2/1 looks of interest.
Another bet with potential is Gustavo Puerta for 2+ shots. He’s had 12 so far, second to Diaz, and has hit 2+ in the last three games, including against Portugal. Puerta has shown he’s more than happy to try his luck from range both from open play and when corners are cleared to him lurking on the edge of the penalty area. Odds of 1.75 look worth an interest.
World Cup 2026: Best Bets, Tuesday July 7
Romero anytime scorer @ 8.5 with kwiff
Attia to be carded @ 3.4 with kwiff
Diaz 1+ goal @ 3.12 with kwiff
Puerta over 1.5 shots @ 1.75 with kwiff
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