2026 FIFA World Cup – Last 16
Argentina….3
Egypt………..2
Argentina national football team staged a remarkable late comeback to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt national football team and secure their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The defending world champions, who had already been pushed to extra time by Cape Verde national football team in the previous round, appeared to be heading for a stunning elimination as Egypt raced into a two-goal lead through Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico.
However, Argentina produced a sensational fightback in the closing stages. Cristian Romero reduced the deficit with just over 10 minutes remaining before Lionel Messi, who had earlier seen a first-half penalty saved, levelled the score five minutes later to breathe new life into the contest.
The decisive moment arrived deep into stoppage time when Enzo Fernández headed home a cross from Lautaro Martínez to complete an extraordinary turnaround and book Argentina’s place in the last eight, where they will face either Colombia national football team or Switzerland national football team.
The winning goal came moments after Egypt had appealed in vain for a penalty following a challenge on Mohamed Salah, a decision that sparked furious protests from the Egyptian bench.
Egypt had produced a superb performance and looked on course for one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history. Having already recorded their first-ever World Cup victory earlier in the tournament by defeating Australia national football team, the Pharaohs took the lead after 15 minutes when Ibrahim powered home a header from Marwan Attia’s cross.
Argentina were handed an opportunity to equalise shortly afterwards when Haissem Hassan brought down Nicolás Tagliafico inside the area, but goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir brilliantly denied Messi from the penalty spot before producing further outstanding saves to frustrate Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Álvarez.
Although Zico had an earlier effort ruled out following a VAR review, he doubled Egypt’s advantage midway through the second half after converting Hassan’s cross to leave the African side within touching distance of a famous victory.
Argentina, however, responded with a stirring finale. Romero’s header ignited the comeback before Messi struck his 21st World Cup goal to level the scores. Fernández then completed one of the most dramatic recoveries in World Cup history, heading home the winner to score the 3,000th goal in the tournament’s history and send the reigning champions through to the quarter-finals.
