Argentina staged a remarkable comeback in the 2026 World Cup round of 16 against Egypt. Trailing 0-2 until the 79th minute, they turned the game around and won 3-2. Enzo Fernandez scored the winning goal. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

Round of 16, July 7, 21:00, Atlanta, Mercedes-Benz Stadium

**ARGENTINA – EGYPT 3:2 (0:1)** Goals: Ibrahim 15 (0:1), Ziko 67 (0:2), Romero 79 (1:2), Messi 84 (2:2), Fernandez 90+3 (3:2). Missed penalty: Messi (ARG, 21).

Egypt opened the scoring in the 15th minute. From a corner kick, a cross into the box saw Yasser Ibrahim win an aerial duel against Lisandro Martinez and head the ball into the net.

Argentina quickly had a chance to equalize. In the 21st minute, Lionel Messi stepped up to take a penalty, but Mostafa Shobeir guessed the direction and saved for Egypt.

After that, Argentina increased the pressure. Messi hit the post from a free kick, Alexis Mac Allister had a dangerous header, and Julian Alvarez found himself in shooting positions several times. However, Egypt held on and maintained their lead until halftime.

In the second half, Egypt could have scored another. In the 58th minute, Mostafa Ziko put the ball in the net, but after a VAR review, the referee disallowed the goal due to a foul in the buildup.

In the 67th minute, Ziko did double Egypt's lead. After a poor Argentina corner, Mohamed Salah broke on the counterattack and switched the ball to the right. Hessem Hassan crossed into the center of the box, and Ziko fired first-time into the net.

Trailing 0-2, Argentina were close to elimination, but the final minutes completely changed the match. In the 79th minute, Messi crossed from the right flank to the edge of the six-yard box, where Cristian Romero won the aerial duel and headed the ball. Shobeir got a hand to it but could not keep it out – 1-2.

Four minutes later, Argentina equalized. Messi delivered a cross to the far post, Lautaro Martinez slid to knock it back into the center, and after a scramble in the box, the ball fell to Messi. The forward smashed it under the bar to make it 2-2.

Argentina scored the winner in stoppage time. Egypt pushed forward and were caught on the counter: Lautaro Martinez received the ball on the right flank and delivered a precise cross into the box. Enzo Fernandez won the position and headed the ball past Shobeir, sending Argentina into the World Cup quarterfinals – 3-2.

The winner of this tie will face the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia in the quarterfinals.