Messi Fires Argentina Into Quarters With Late Comeback, 3-2

Argentina Recover From Two Goals Down in Atlanta

Egypt, comfortably the weaker side on paper, made the most dramatic possible start to this knockout tie. Yasser Ibrahim struck in the 15th minute to put the Pharaohs ahead, the first time Argentina had trailed at the 2026 World Cup and Messi missed a penalty shortly after, with goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir diving to his left to keep the score at 1-0. Argentina pressed hard for the rest of the first half but could not find a way through, with Messi also striking the post.

In the second half, Egypt doubled their advantage through Mostafa Zico’s counterattack goal in the 67th minute, though Hossam Hassan’s side had an earlier strike ruled out by VAR. At 2-0 down with the clock running, Lionel Scaloni’s side mounted an improbable late charge. Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute assisted by Messi, before Messi himself levelled in the 83rd with a deflected effort that crossed the line off the underside of the crossbar.

With extra time beckoning, Enzo Fernandez headed in a cross from Lautaro Martinez in the second minute of stoppage time to complete the turnaround. Egypt’s bench erupted in protest, believing a foul preceded the counter, and the fallout saw multiple late cards issued to Egyptian players and staff.

VAR Blow, Missed Penalty, Then Three in Eleven Minutes

Messi’s saved penalty in the 21st minute was a pivotal failure, his second spot-kick miss at this tournament that allowed Egypt to carry their one-goal lead into the break. VAR disallowed a Zico goal earlier in the second half, denying Egypt what would have been a 2-0 lead sooner, but his 67th-minute strike on the counter stood and appeared to seal it.

Romero’s header in the 79th minute started the comeback, Messi’s deflected equaliser in the 83rd changed the momentum completely, and Fernandez’s stoppage-time header closed it out before Egypt could regroup.

Messi Leads Golden Boot Race With Record-Breaking Night

Lionel Messi finished on the wrong end of both a missed penalty and a post in the first half, yet still determined the outcome. His assist for Romero’s 79th-minute goal sparked the comeback, and his deflected 83rd-minute strike, his eighth goal of the tournament put Argentina level.

That tally moves him clear of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland at the top of the Golden Boot standings. The goal also extended his record of scoring in nine consecutive World Cup matches, now spanning 13 goals back to Argentina’s 2022 title run.

Discipline Problems and Quarterfinal Implications

Egypt’s final minutes were chaotic: four Egyptian players were booked in the 90th minute, with Hassan Hassan receiving a second yellow and being sent off, and a red card was also issued to a member of Egypt’s coaching staff. That indiscipline mars what was an outstanding tournament debut at this stage for the Pharaohs, who made history simply by reaching the round of 16.

For Argentina, the quarterfinal place is secured but Scaloni will be concerned by the defensive lapses that allowed a considerably weaker side to lead 2-0 so late.

The defending champions will learn their next opponent from the Colombia vs. Switzerland match, with the quarterfinal fixture scheduled in Kansas City. Any suspensions carried from this match’s red card on the Egypt bench do not affect Argentina’s squad, but Scaloni must address the vulnerability at the back before facing a stronger opponent in the next round.