Argentina produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the FIFA World Cup 2026 to overturn a two-goal deficit and defeat Egypt 3-2 at Atlanta Stadium, keeping their title defence alive with three goals in the final 11 minutes. Lionel Scaloni’s side looked destined for a shock exit after Egypt established a deserved 2-0 lead, but late strikes from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández completed a remarkable turnaround and secured a place in the quarter-finals. Egypt entered the match with a disciplined defensive plan and executed it superbly for much of the evening. Operating in a compact shape that denied Argentina space through the middle, the Pharaohs frustrated the reigning champions before striking first from a set piece in the 15th minute. The breakthrough came after Mohamed Salah led a counter-attack that forced Nicolás Tagliafico into conceding a corner. Emam Ashour curled an inviting delivery into the penalty area, where Yasser Ibrahim escaped Lisandro Martínez before powering a downward header beyond Emiliano Martínez to hand Egypt a stunning early lead.
Egypt’s Yasser Ibrahim (2) scores during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Argentina responded immediately and thought they had the perfect opportunity to equalise midway through the first half. Rodrigo De Paul clipped an excellent pass into the penalty area for Julián Álvarez, whose quick turn was halted when Ramy Rabia clipped his ankle. The referee pointed straight to the penalty spot, but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produced one of the saves of the tournament, diving low to his left to keep out Lionel Messi’s effort. Lautaro Martínez reacted quickest to the rebound, only for Mohamed Hany to throw himself into a desperate block that preserved Egypt’s advantage heading into half-time.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) fails to score from a penalty kick during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Despite dominating possession after the restart, Argentina struggled to break through Egypt’s organised defensive structure. Instead, the underdogs doubled their advantage in the 67th minute with a devastating counter-attack. Marwan Attia intercepted Leandro Paredes’ ambitious cross-field pass before immediately releasing Mohamed Salah down the right. The Liverpool forward accelerated away from Tagliafico, carried the ball into the area and, rather than shooting himself, squared an intelligent pass across goal for Mostafa Ziko. Arriving unmarked beyond Nahuel Molina at the back post, Ziko slid in to drive his finish into the roof of the net and put Egypt 2-0 ahead, leaving the world champions facing an extraordinary elimination.
Egypt’s Mostafa Zico (11) scores second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Scaloni responded by committing more players forward, pushing Cristian Romero into advanced positions during attacking phases while instructing his side to deliver crosses earlier into the penalty area. The tactical adjustment transformed the contest. Argentina finally found a route back in the 79th minute from another set piece. A short corner allowed Enzo Fernández space on the edge of the area before the Chelsea midfielder delivered a teasing cross towards the far post. Romero timed his run perfectly, rising behind Karim Hafez to send a powerful header across Shobeir and into the far corner to reduce the deficit.
Argentina’s Cristian Romero scores their opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The equaliser followed only four minutes later. Egypt failed to clear their lines after Shobeir’s long kick was intercepted by De Paul near halfway. Julián Álvarez drove directly at the retreating defence before disguising a perfectly weighted reverse pass into Messi’s path. The Argentina captain took one composed touch before calmly sliding a low finish into the bottom corner, making amends for his earlier penalty miss and bringing the holders level at 2-2.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring his side’s second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
With momentum completely shifted, Argentina continued to press for a winner as Egypt retreated deeper into their own half. That decisive moment arrived in second-half stoppage time. Alexis Mac Allister switched play to Nahuel Molina on the right flank, and the full-back wasted no time whipping an early cross into the crowded penalty area. Enzo Fernández, arriving from deep midfield, timed his run between Egypt’s central defenders to perfection before directing a glancing header into the top corner to complete an extraordinary comeback and spark wild celebrations among the Argentine players.
Argentina’s Enzo Fernandez (24) celebrates scoring his side’s third goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
The statistics reflected Argentina’s territorial dominance, even if Egypt threatened to produce one of the greatest World Cup upsets. The Albiceleste finished with 61 per cent possession, 17 shots to Egypt’s four, seven efforts on target compared to two, and earned nine corners while forcing sustained pressure throughout the closing stages. Egypt, meanwhile, defended resolutely for long periods despite committing 14 fouls and receiving yellow cards for Ramy Rabia, Marwan Attia and goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. Argentina collected bookings for Rodrigo De Paul and Cristian Romero. For almost 80 minutes, Egypt had the defending champions exactly where they wanted them. But Romero’s header reignited Argentina’s belief, Messi delivered when his side needed him most, and Fernández completed a comeback that will rank among the most memorable knockout victories of the 2026 World Cup. Argentina now advance to the quarter-finals with their title defence intact, while Egypt leave the tournament having pushed the world champions to the absolute limit.
