Messi Inspires Argentina Comeback From 2-0 Down Against Egypt

Round of 16 · Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta · July 7, 2026

Argentina came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta, with Enzo Fernández scoring the winner in stoppage time. All three of Argentina’s goals came in a 13-minute spell late in the game.

Yasser Ibrahim gave Egypt the lead in the 15th minute, set up by Marwan Attia. Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir then saved Lionel Messi’s penalty in the 21st minute, diving low to his left. It was Messi’s second missed penalty of the tournament, after one against Austria.

Mostafa Ziko had a goal ruled out for a foul in the build-up in the 59th minute, after a VAR review, but Egypt doubled their lead in the 67th through Ziko anyway, from Haissem Hassan’s pass.

Messi led the comeback. He crossed for Cristian Romero to head in in the 79th minute and scored himself four minutes later, from Gonzalo Montiel’s pass. Fernández then headed the winner two minutes into stoppage time, set up by Lautaro Martínez. Messi also hit the woodwork.

Lionel Scaloni’s changes played their part. Lautaro Martínez and Nicolás González came on in the 66th minute for Rodrigo De Paul and Nicolás Tagliafico, and Montiel replaced Nahuel Molina in the 73rd. Two of the three substitutes went on to provide assists. Egypt lost Emam Ashour to injury at halftime and Hassan to injury in the 73rd minute, and finished with four yellow cards, three of them in stoppage time.

Argentina had 64% of the ball and 19 shots, seven on target, for 2.84 expected goals. They completed 541 of 602 passes, 90%. Egypt managed five shots, two on target, and one corner to Argentina’s six. Emiliano Martínez did not have to make a save.

Messi was GoalServe’s highest-rated player. As well as his goal and assist, he created six chances and completed five dribbles. Leandro Paredes made three tackles at the base of midfield, and Fernández completed three dribbles. For Egypt, Shobeir made four saves, including the penalty, Mohanad Lasheen made four interceptions and Hassan completed four dribbles before going off.

Scaloni set Argentina up in a 4-1-3-2, with Paredes behind De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister and Fernández, and Messi alongside Julián Alvarez. Hossam Hassan’s Egypt played a 4-4-2, with Mohamed Salah partnering Ziko up front.

Egypt leave having gone further than ever before. They earned their first World Cup win against New Zealand and their first knockout win, on penalties against Australia.

It was Messi’s eighth goal of the tournament and 21st at World Cups. Argentina will face Switzerland or Colombia in the quarterfinals.

More: Argentina at the 2026 World Cup · Egypt at the 2026 World Cup

ESO Soccer Match Desk

Archive coverage. First published on ESO Soccer on October 3, 2026. The archive date reflects the events covered.