Argentina produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup by overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 and book a place in the quarter-finals.
The Pharaohs stunned the defending champions early in the match when Yasser Ibrahim headed home from a corner in the 15th minute. Argentina had the perfect chance to respond six minutes later, but Mostafa Shobeir denied Lionel Messi from the penalty spot before making several outstanding saves to preserve Egypt’s lead until halftime.
Egypt looked on course for a historic victory after Mostafa Ziko doubled the advantage in the 67th minute following a swift counterattack. The Pharaohs even thought they had scored a third goal, but the referee disallowed Haissem Hassan’s strike after a VAR review spotted a foul earlier in the move. Argentina refused to surrender and launched an incredible comeback. Cristian Romero headed home from a Lionel Messi cross in the 80th minute before Messi fired a spectacular equalizer four minutes later to score his eighth goal of the tournament.
The Albiceleste completed the turnaround deep into stoppage time. Julián Álvarez led a lightning-fast counterattack before Lautaro Martínez delivered a precise cross for Enzo Fernández, who calmly finished into the bottom corner in the 90+3rd minute. Argentina held firm through a tense finale to secure a remarkable 3-2 victory and advance to the quarter-finals, where Lionel Scaloni’s side will face either Switzerland or Colombia.
