Argentina vs Egypt: Dramatic 3-2 Win, Lionel Messi and Co. Advance to the Quarterfinals

 Argentina dramatically defeated Egypt in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Lionel Messi and his teammates produced a two-goal comeback to win 3-2 to advance to the quarterfinals.

Playing at Atlanta Stadium on Tuesday (July 7th), Argentina tried to control the game from the start. Messi, the spearhead, was closely followed by Egyptian players.

Several attempts to pass the ball to Messi were intercepted by Egypt. Meanwhile, Mohamed Salah and his teammates patiently pressured Argentina.

Lacking momentum, Egypt took the lead in the 15th minute. Yasser Ibrahim headed Marwan Attia's cross, winning an aerial duel with Lisandro Martinez and sending it into the net. Egypt led 1-0.

Argentina immediately had a chance to equalize four minutes later. Nicola Tagliafico was brought down by Haissem Hassan. Lionel Messi stepped up to take the penalty, but his shot to the right was saved by Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir! Argentina failed to score an equalizer. Shortly after, play was stopped for a water break.

After the break, Argentina put Egypt under pressure again. Another golden opportunity presented itself, this time through Alexis Mac Allister's header, but Shobeir made another brilliant save to keep it out.

In the 31st minute, Messi threatened Egypt's goal again. This time with a long-range free kick, which almost went in had it not hit the Egyptian goalpost.

Shortly after, it was Julian Alvarez's turn to threaten. Receiving a cutback from Tagliafico, Alvarez met it with a shot in front of goal, but Shobeir repeatedly denied it!

For the remainder of the first half, Argentina's efforts to pressure Egypt were fruitless. The Albiceleste remained trailing 0-1 at halftime.

As the second half rolled around, Argentina regained control of the game. However, Lionel Scaloni's squad struggled to break down Egypt's defense.

Egypt, relying on counterattacks, managed to score in the 58th minute. Mostafa Zico put the ball in the back of the net, but referee Francois Letexier disallowed the goal after a VAR review, which revealed a foul on Lisandro Martinez.

In the 67th minute, Egypt found the net again. Zico finally doubled the score, converting Haissem Hassan's cutback, which also stemmed from a counterattack led by Mohamed Salah. The score was 2-0 to Egypt, and shortly after the water break.

The match resumed, with Argentina continuing to pressure Egypt. Several substitutions were made to freshen things up. Argentina managed to reduce the score in the 79th minute. Cristian Romero headed home Messi's cross, making it 1-2.

 Shortly after, disaster struck for Egypt. Messi again saved Argentina with a goal in the 83rd minute, capitalizing on a pass from Montiel in a scramble in the Egyptian penalty area. Messi's shot hit the post but rebounded into the Egyptian net. The score was 2-2.

Egypt was then under pressure. Meanwhile, Argentina was eagerly searching for its third goal. And it arrived in injury time. On a counterattack, Enzo Fernandez headed past Shobeir, taking advantage of Lautaro Martinez's cross. The score was 3-2.

The goal sparked protests from the Egyptian side, who claimed a foul on Mohamed Salah. The referee even issued a red card to an Egyptian staff member who entered the field. The match continued, and Argentina's victory held until the final whistle.

Argentina advances to the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup, Egypt eliminated.