Defending Champions Argentina survived the most almighty scare against Egypt in the Round of 16 game of the FIFA World Cup 2026. In a pulsating, thrilling and drama-filled 3-2 come from behind win thriller, Argentina booked their spot for the quarter-final of the World Cup. The game featured a Lionel Messi penalty miss and a divisive VAR decision that denied Egypt a goal. Argentina were down and out at 2-0 down with 11 minutes to go, while inspired Egypt carried all the momentum.

What followed was one of the most epic comebacks, leaving the fans stunned. Argentina scored 3 goals to win the match against Egypt in 13 minutes to record a stunning win and advance to the next round. Lionel Messi who missed a penalty early in the game, made amends as he scored the most crucial goal of the game in the 84th minute to equalise things. With that goal, Lionel Messi also became the leading goal-scorer in this World Cup moving clear of Mbappe and Haaland. This was his 21st goal in World Cups and it was a special one.

Lionel Messi missed a penalty in the first half of the game

Argentina legend Lionel Messi failed to convert yet another penalty in the FIFA World Cup, this time in the massive Round of 16 clash against Egypt on Tuesday. This was the second time in this edition of the tournament that Messi had missed his kick from the spot after hitting his effort wide to the right in the ninth minute of Argentina’s Group J match against Austria on June 22, 2026.

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Nicolas Tagliafico drew a foul on the left wing inside Egypt’s penalty box. It was a stonewall penalty and Messi picked up the ball immediately. He once again went to his right, and Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir guessed it right dived low to pluck it away from the bottom corner. It was a disappointing one as the kick lacked the pace of a big centre forward and it was just about timing which Shobeir showed in spades.

Watch the missed penalty here.

Messi scores most important goal of the game at 84th minute

Argentina were behind 1-2 and it was a fight against time and that was the moment Lionel Messi scored one of the most important goals of the game lacing a clutch half volley in the 84th minute to draw level with Egypt, who had led 2-0 as late as the 79th minute. Cristian Romero scored the first goal to breathe life back into the contest and ignite the revival and this stunning goal from Messi to equalise things brought Argentina back in the game.

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Watch Lionel Messi score the most important goal of the game.

Just as things were heading towards a draw, Enzo Fernandes rose to power home a stunning winner three minutes into stoppage time to seal their comeback and Egypt’s collapse. Argentina made it to the Quarter-Finals of the 2026 Fifa World Cup. They will face the winner of Switzerland and Columbia. It has been a special World Cup for Messi and tonight's game just added to his illustrious career.