Messi leads Argentina to stunning comeback victory over Egypt in World Cup knockout match

On July 7, 2026, Lionel Messi scored a crucial goal to help Argentina secure a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the World Cup knockout stage at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Trailing 2-0, Argentina made a remarkable comeback with Messi providing an assist and scoring a goal in the final minutes of the match.

Argentina's Historic Comeback

Argentina's journey in the World Cup took a thrilling turn as they faced a daunting 2-0 deficit against Egypt. Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring for Egypt in the 15th minute, followed by Mostafa Zico doubling their lead in the 67th minute. However, Messi's brilliance shone through in the closing stages of the match. In the 79th minute, he assisted Cristian Romero, igniting a spark of hope for the defending champions.

Just four minutes later, Messi found the back of the net himself, leveling the score at 2-2. As the match appeared to be heading towards extra time, Enzo Fernández scored a dramatic header in the second minute of stoppage time, sealing Argentina's place in the quarterfinals.

Messi's Record-Breaking Performance

This match marked Messi's sixth consecutive World Cup knockout match in which he scored, further solidifying his legacy as one of football's greatest players. His goal was also his 13th in nine consecutive World Cup matches, dating back to Argentina's title run in 2022. “Honestly, I'm just so happy we made it through and about the way we did it,” Messi expressed after the match.

Despite a challenging start, where Messi missed a penalty and hit the post, he ultimately delivered when it mattered most. His eight goals in the tournament put him ahead of France's Kylian Mbappé and Norway's Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.

Looking Ahead: Argentina's Next Challenge

With this victory, Argentina is set to face Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. Coach Lionel Scaloni praised his team's resilience, stating, “What a group of players, brother.” This win not only keeps Argentina's hopes alive for a back-to-back World Cup title but also highlights their never-give-up attitude.

Egypt, who made history by advancing to the round of 16 for the first time, had much to be proud of despite the loss. They demonstrated their potential on the world stage, and their early goals showcased their skill and determination.

• Messi's assist and goal during the match.
• Argentina's comeback from a 2-0 deficit.
• Next match against Switzerland on July 8, 2026.