In a thrilling encounter on Tuesday at the Atlanta Stadium, Lionel Messi led Argentina to a stunning comeback, defeating Egypt 3-2 in the last-16 of the World Cup 2026. The title holders were on the verge of elimination, trailing 2-0 until late goals from Cristian Romero, Messi, and Enzo Fernandez secured their place in the quarter-finals.
Argentina's Dramatic Turnaround
Argentina faced a daunting challenge, down two goals with just 11 minutes remaining. Goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico had initially put Egypt ahead. Despite a missed penalty from Messi in the first half, he played a pivotal role in Argentina's resurgence.
Messi provided the assist for Romero's header that initiated the comeback. Just four minutes later, he found the net himself, equalizing the match after a chaotic sequence involving substitutes Lautaro Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel.
Key Moments in the Match
Argentina's victory was marked by several key moments:
- Messi's first-half penalty was saved by Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir.
- Shoubir made crucial saves, denying attempts from Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
- Egypt had a goal disallowed by VAR for a foul in the build-up.
As Egypt began to retreat defensively, they allowed Argentina to seize control. The winning goal came from a counter-attack, with Lautaro Martinez crossing to Fernandez, who scored in stoppage time.
Looking Ahead: Quarter-Finals Await
With this victory, Argentina advanced to face the winner of the match between Colombia and Switzerland in the quarter-finals. Messi, now with 21 World Cup goals, continues to be a central figure in Argentina's quest for back-to-back titles.
As the tournament progresses, the stakes are higher, and Argentina's resilience will be tested further in the upcoming rounds.
🤖 This article was rewritten by Feed and Figures' editorial AI from a report originally published by France 24 World. Facts and quotes are preserved from the original; the rewrite focuses on clarity and structure. For the unedited original, see the source link below.
