World Cup 2026 Argentina Stun Egypt 3-2 in Last-16 Comeback

ARGENTINA · WORLD CUP

Two goals down and heading out, Argentina roared back through Lionel Messi and an Enzo Fernández stoppage-time header to stun Egypt in Atlanta.

World Cup 2026 Argentina complete an epic comeback

Argentina produced one of the great World Cup comebacks to beat Egypt 3-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. The holders had trailed by two goals with time running out.

Lionel Messi dragged his side back into the tie almost single-handedly. Enzo Fernández then delivered the decisive blow deep in stoppage time.

It is a result that will be remembered for years to come. Egypt, so close to a famous win, were left heartbroken.

Egypt race into a two-goal lead

Egypt made a superb start and raced into a two-goal lead. They defended with belief and threatened on the counter throughout.

Argentina’s afternoon grew more difficult when Messi saw an early penalty saved. The miss summed up a frustrating opening for the favourites.

For long spells Egypt looked set to pull off a stunning upset. The African side were well worth their lead deep into the second half.

Egypt carried a real threat every time they broke forward. Argentina, by contrast, looked laboured and short of ideas for over an hour.

Messi lights the fuse

The comeback began in the 79th minute through Cristian Romero. He headed in after Messi floated a ball into the box.

Four minutes later Messi scored himself to level the tie at 2-2. The Argentine captain refused to let his side go out quietly.

Suddenly the momentum had swung completely in Argentina’s favour. Egypt were rocked by the speed of the turnaround.

The two goals came in the space of four remarkable minutes. A tie that had seemed lost was suddenly there for Argentina to win.

Enzo Fernández wins it late

The winner arrived in the second minute of stoppage time. Enzo Fernández rose to head Argentina in front for the first time all night.

The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Argentine players and fans. Egypt had no time left to respond.

It capped a remarkable finish to a dramatic knockout tie. Argentina had escaped when the exit door looked wide open.

The numbers behind the comeback

According to FIFA’s official coverage, it was the first time in World Cup history that a team won a knockout match in regulation after trailing by two goals at the 75th minute. The scale of the comeback was historic.

By The Rio Times’ reading, this was another chapter in Messi’s astonishing World Cup story. His sixth goal of the tournament moved him to the top of the Golden Boot race.

Messi also scored in a record sixth straight World Cup knockout match. Few players have ever shaped tournaments the way he continues to.

The goal was also his 18th at World Cups and extended another remarkable run. He has now scored in seven consecutive World Cup matches.

What comes next

Argentina advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland after the Swiss eliminated Colombia on penalties. The result leaves Argentina as the only Latin American side still standing in the tournament — a burden and a distinction our reporting has tracked across multiple World Cup cycles.

They will need to start far better than they did here, however. A slow beginning nearly cost them their place in the tournament.

Why it matters

Argentina arrived in North America chasing back-to-back World Cup crowns. Surviving a night like this keeps that dream alive.

For Egypt, defeat is cruel after such a courageous display. They can leave the tournament with immense pride after a historic run.

Egypt had already made history by reaching the last 16 for the first time. To then lead Argentina for so long only deepens the sense of what might have been.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What was the score in World Cup 2026 Argentina vs Egypt?

Argentina won 3-2 in Atlanta. Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández scored the goals.

How big was the comeback?

Argentina trailed 2-0 late in the game before scoring three times. It was a record-breaking knockout comeback.

What did Messi do?

Messi assisted Romero’s goal and then scored to level the tie. His goal took him to the top of the Golden Boot race.

Who scored the winner?

Enzo Fernández headed the winner in stoppage time. It completed a stunning turnaround.

Who do Argentina play next?

Argentina face the winner of Colombia and Switzerland in the quarter-finals. That tie will confirm their last-eight opponent.

This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error