Defending champions Argentina produced another dramatic escape at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, coming from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 in a thrilling round-of-16 clash and book their place in the quarter-finals.
Egypt, who had never won a World Cup match before this tournament, were on the verge of one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. The Pharaohs stunned the three-time world champions with a fearless display and looked set to eliminate Lionel Messi and his teammates before a late Argentine fightback turned the game on its head.
The African side made the perfect start in Atlanta, taking the lead after just 15 minutes. Yasser Ibrahim rose above Lisandro Martínez to meet Marwan Attia’s pinpoint cross, powering a header into the bottom corner to send the Egyptian supporters into celebration.
Argentina had an immediate chance to respond when Haissem Hassan brought down Nicolás Tagliafico inside the penalty area just five minutes later. Lionel Messi stepped up from the spot, but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produced a brilliant save to deny the tournament’s leading scorer. It was the second penalty Messi had failed to convert at the tournament after also being denied in Argentina’s group-stage victory over Austria.
Shobeir continued to frustrate Argentina throughout the opening half, making an excellent save to keep out Alexis Mac Allister’s header before producing a stunning one-handed stop to deny Julián Álvarez moments before halftime.
Egypt thought they had doubled their advantage early in the second half when Mostafa Zico found the net, but the goal was ruled out following a VAR review. The setback did little to affect their momentum, however, as Zico finally got his reward midway through the half, calmly finishing Hassan’s cross to put Egypt 2-0 ahead and within touching distance of a historic quarter-final berth.
With time running out, Argentina finally found their spark. Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute to ignite hopes of a comeback, before Messi fired home his 21st FIFA World Cup goal to level the scores and set up a breathtaking finale.
Just when extra time appeared inevitable, Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández completed Argentina’s remarkable turnaround in the second minute of stoppage time, rising to head home Lautaro Martínez’s inviting cross and seal a dramatic 3-2 victory.
The reigning champions advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face either Colombia or Switzerland in Kansas City on Sunday, July 12.
