Argentina’s Comeback Victory Over Egypt Puts Them in the Quarterfinals

By Daniel Feuerstein | Atlanta, GA | July 7th, 2026

The final two matches in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup saw Egypt face the defending champions, Argentina. When the match began, it looked like the Pharaohs were going to do the impossible and have the chance to take out Lionel Messi and his friends, but just when you think you’ve got them beat and holding a two-goal lead, those Light Blue & White striped shirts always find a way to hustle back into the match and earn the victory. It happened again as Argentina did it again and won the match by the final score of three goals to two

The opening goal came from the cross

Egypt had possession of the ball along the far side of the pitch, going back and forth with the passing to see how they could get it toward their strikers up front and find that magical pass. The cross finally came from Marawan Attia towards the middle of the area, and being defended, but he still found a way to get his head on the ball was Yasser Ibrahim. He just pulled away slightly from his defender and redirected the ball with a header at the far post in the 15th minute.

Messi was thwarted at the penalty spot

Argentina was looking to get an equalizer, and their opportunity came right away inside Egypt’s area. Lionel Messi looped the ball from the near side to the far side, which led Nicolas Tagliafico to attack the net. Trying to catch up was Haissem Hassan; as he finally got towards Tagliafico, he collided with his marker and brought him down inside the area, and referee François Letexier blew his whistle and pointed to the spot. Messi took the spot kick, going to the near post, and making the save was Mostafa Shoubir in the 21st minute to keep the one-goal lead.

Egypt makes it two

Egypt was looking for a second goal and they had an attacking run in the works trying to get forward. Egypt originally thought they had it in the 60th minute, but VAR overturned the goal as they claimed a foul happened before the goal was scored. But after that tally was wiped out, Egypt went on another attacking run going down the middle of the park. Haissem Hassan got the ball and saw Mostafa Zico trailing the run. A quick cross towards Zico’s path and he smashed it into the back of the net in the 67th minute to officially get that two goal lead back.

The start of the comeback

We all know Argentina will never back down, as long as there is plenty of time remaining on the match clock, they will find a way to make a comeback and put doubt in your mind. It started so innocently, until you saw Messi leading his team into that march. The ball was being played around the far side and Messi had possession of the ball. All he did was make a pinpoint cross toward a space inside the Egypt area and found Cristian Romero. All Romero did was deliver a flick header and beat the keeper to the far post in the 79th minute.

Messi finally converts for the equalizer

No matter where he is on the pitch Lionel Messi will continue to find a way to take you down. Argentina kept knocking on the door and they finally found the second goal to equalize the match. It was a mad scramble inside the Egyptian area as multiple players were trying to pass the ball around looking for the space to create the chance. When there was a couple of shots taken, there were blocks and mistimed moments, but when the ball bounced toward Messi, his shot always finds the back of the net and like a magnet he converted the shot in the 83rd minute to send all Argentines in a frenzy.

Comeback is complete in stoppage time

The fourth official posted seven minutes of second half stoppage time, but Argentina didn’t need the full seven minutes to take the victory awat from the jaws of defeat. They quickly made a big stop on their side of the pitch and started an attacking run down the far side. Lautaro Martinez had the ball and was looking for a teammate to set up the chance. That man making his run was Enzo Fernandez, as he found a way to time the cross and performed a leaping header into the back of the net to complete the comeback in the 2nd minute of seven in second half stoppage time.

Once again Argentina shows their mettel and continues to find a way to battle on the pitch and get that victory. Just when you think you can count them out, they always find a way to get the victory until their last breath, or when the referee blows his whistle for full time. They are now on their way to the Quarterfinals, continuing to defend their championship. It’s an amazing feat.

Argentina keeps rolling in the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a comeback victory over Egypt

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