Argentina successfully secured a ticket to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup after winning a dramatic match against Egypt with a score of 3-2 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, on Tuesday (7/7/2026). In a highly tense round of 16 match, Lionel Messi once again became the main protagonist behind the defending champions' resurgence after trailing by two goals.
Egypt shocked the public with early dominance through a goal by Yasser Ibrahim in the 15th minute. The situation worsened for Argentina when Lionel Messi's penalty kick was saved by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. Egypt even extended their lead through Mostafa Ziko's goal in the 67th minute, leaving Argentina on the brink of elimination.
The turning point for the Albiceleste began in the 79th minute through a header by Cristian Romero. Four minutes later, Lionel Messi made amends for his missed penalty by scoring the equalizer with a spectacular volley. Argentina capitalized fully on this momentum, until Enzo Fernandez finally secured the victory with a crucial header in injury time.
This victory takes Argentina to the quarter-finals to face Switzerland. For Egypt, despite being eliminated, reaching the round of 16 remains a historic milestone for the team.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni could not hide his emotions over his players' mental strength in overcoming intense pressure. He described his team's performance as extraordinary, given their ability to turn the game around in a short time under the immense pressure of this international tournament.
