Up Next: a quarterfinals game against Colombia or Switzerland.
1 of 5 | Argentina’s Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring a goal against Egypt to tie the score 2-2 in the second half of a Round of 16 World Cup match Tuesday at Atlanta Stadium. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
Lionel Messi helped Argentina avoid a major upset, scoring one of three second-half goals to rally past Egypt on Tuesday in the World Cup’s Round of 16.
The defending champions trailed 2-0 through nearly 79 minutes of the 3-2 triumph in Atlanta. Messi assisted defender Christian Romero for the Argentines’ first goal and smashed in a half-volley equalizer less than five minutes later.
Midfielder Enzo Fernandez netted the game winner in the 92nd minute to effectively punch the Argentines’ ticket to the quarterfinals, where they will take on Colombia or Switzerland.
The second-ranked Argentines outshot No. 24 Egypt 19-5 and held a 64% to 36% edge in possession, but required late heroics to stave off one of the biggest upsets in the history of the World Cup’s knockout stage.
With the performance, Messi became the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup knockout stage matches. With his eighth goal of the 2026 World Cup, he also pushed his career tournament total to a record-extending 21.
Midfielder Marawan Attia assisted defender Yasser Ibrahim for the first goal of the match in the 15th minute. Messi was denied of an equalizer when Egyptian goalie Mostafa Shoubir blocked his penalty kick attempt in the 21st minute.
The Argentines continued to threaten, but couldn’t find the net, despite holding a major shot advantage. Egypt appeared to double the Argentine deficit when forward Mostafa Zico found the net in the 58th minute, but that score was disallowed due to a late foul call.
Zico redeemed the Egyptians by officially finding the net in the 67th minute, but the Argentine’s broke through with Romero’s score about a dozen minutes later.
Messi held the ball at the right corner of the box to start the play. He then chipped a pass toward the near post, finding Romero for a header past Shoubir.
Messi’s equalizer came after the ball was knocked around the Egyptian box several times. It eventually found defender Gonzalo Montiel, who toed a pass to Messi. The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner used his left boot to blister a first-touch laser past Shoubir.
Forward Julian Alvarez hit a long pass down the right flank for Martinez during that breakaway score. Martinez lifted his head, spotted Fernandez and curled a cross through the middle of the box for the midfielder, who elevated and smashed a header by Shoubir for the game-winner.
Argentina will meet No. 11 Colombia or No. 15 Switzerland in a quarterfinal Saturday in Kansas City, Mo. The winner will battle No. 19 Norway or No. 4 England in a July 15 semifinal.
FIFA World Cup: Argentina defeats Egypt
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after scoring a goal against Egypt to tie the score 2-2 in the second half of their 2026 FIFA World Cup match in Atlanta on July 7, 2026. Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2. Photo by Christian Brunskill/UPI | License Photo
