Argentina pulled off one of the most incredible comebacks in the FIFA World Cup 2026, clinching a thrilling 3-2 victory over Egypt in the Round of 16. With time running out and the team trailing 2-0, the defending champions found their spark, thanks to Lionel Messi's inspiring leadership. Even after missing an early penalty, Messi played a pivotal role in the turnaround, contributing a goal and an assist as Argentina scored three times in the dying moments of the match. His equalizer not only leveled the score but also propelled him back to the top of the tournament's Golden Boot race with eight goals, making for an unforgettable night in Atlanta.

Egypt had kept Argentina at bay for much of the game, with Yasser Ibrahim's first-half header and Mostafa Ziko's counter-attack putting the underdogs in a strong position. But Argentina's relentless pressure eventually bore fruit. Cristian Romero ignited the comeback in the 79th minute, heading in Messi's precise cross. Just four minutes later, Messi seized a loose ball in the box and unleashed a powerful volley that hit the crossbar, leveling the score at 2-2. In the dying moments of stoppage time, Gonzalo Montiel delivered a curling cross from the right, and Enzo Fernández soared to head in the winning goal, sealing a dramatic victory.

Lionel Messi Leads Argentina's Dramatic Turnaround

 

Egypt shocked Argentina by jumping ahead early with a header from Yasser Ibrahim. Mostafa Ziko then extended their lead in the 67th minute after a lightning-fast counterattack. Earlier, Argentina had a golden opportunity to level the score, but their captain Messi saw his penalty saved by Egypt's goalkeeper, Mostafa Shobeir. However, Messi bounced back impressively, earning the Match MVP title with one goal and one assist, and finishing with an impressive player rating of 8.02. His assist for Romero ignited the comeback, and his stunning volley brought the score back to even. Argentina's relentless pressure pushed Egypt back, ultimately leading to Fernández's dramatic winning-goal in stoppage time. The stats told the story of Argentina's dominance, boasting 61 percent possession, 17 shots with seven on target, and 548 accurate passes at a remarkable 91 percent accuracy, along with six corners, while Egypt managed just four shots and one corner. Next up, Argentina will take on either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarterfinals on July 11 at Kansas City Stadium.