- Argentina overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2, scoring three late goals to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals.
- Lionel Messi set new tournament records for appearances and goals, providing a goal and an assist in the dramatic comeback victory.
- Egypt’s historic run ended despite leading through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko before Argentina's late offensive surge.
- Enzo Fernández scored the decisive stoppage-time winner, completing a comeback sparked by goals from Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi.
Atlanta, United States — Defending champions Argentina staged a dramatic late comeback from a two-goal deficit, scoring three times in the final eleven minutes to defeat Egypt 3-2 in their FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 encounter at Atlanta Stadium.
With the victory, Argentina advances to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the knockout match between Colombia and Switzerland. The defeat eliminates Egypt from the tournament, concluding their historic knockout-stage appearance.
Egypt, who had reached the knockout stage for the first time in 92 years, opened the scoring in the 15th minute when Yasser Ibrahim found the net with a header. The underdogs maintained their defensive shape to hold a 1-0 lead at halftime and extended their advantage in the 67th minute when Mostafa Ziko converted a pass from Haissem Hassan.
Trailing 2-0, Argentina initiated an aggressive offensive strategy in the match's closing stages. In the 79th minute, defender Cristian Romero scored with a header off a cross from captain Lionel Messi to reduce the deficit. Five minutes later, Messi scored the equalizing goal to level the match at 2-2.
The comeback was finalized in the second minute of second-half stoppage time ($90+2'$) when midfielder Enzo Fernández scored the decisive goal to secure the win.Messi's performance of one goal and one assist established multiple tournament milestones. The veteran forward extended his scoring streak to nine consecutive World Cup matches and set new all-time records for the most World Cup appearances (31 matches), most goals scored (21), and most tournament editions played (six).
Additionally, Messi became the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup knockout stage matches while increasing his career tournament assist tally to nine. He currently leads the ongoing tournament's goal-scoring chart with eight goals.
