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Argentina’s Messi survived another almighty scare before delivering a scarcely believable second-half comeback to break Egypt’s heart and reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
The reigning world champions — sent to extra time by Cape Verde in the last round — had looked set for a shock exit against the Pharaohs, who led 2-0 thanks to goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico. But Cristian Romero halved the deficit 11 minutes from time before Lionel Messi, who had missed a first-half penalty in Atlanta, equalised five minutes later and set up a nail-biting finish.
Enzo Fernandez completed the comeback two minutes into injury time, heading home Lautaro Martinez’s cross to set up a quarter-final tie against Switzerland. His goal was the 3,000th in World Cup history.
It was impossible not to feel for Egypt, who had not won a World Cup match prior to this tournament but were minutes away from eliminating the three-time winners. The victory sees Argentina through to the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland on Saturday in Kansas City .
Egypt sent their fans into ecstasy in the 15th minute when Yasser Ibrahim outjumped Lisandro Martinez to nod Marwan Attia’s cross into the bottom corner. It was the first time Argentina had trailed at half-time in a World Cup match for 16 years.
Argentina were given a golden opportunity to restore parity five minutes later when Haissem Hassan tripped Nicolas Tagliafico inside the penalty area. Messi stepped up, but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produced a magnificent save to deny the 39-year-old. It was the second penalty Messi had missed at this tournament, having also failed from the spot against Austria in the group stage.
Shobeir was outstanding throughout the first half, saving well from Alexis MacAllister’s header before delivering a superb one-handed stop from Julian Alvarez’s goal-bound effort three minutes before the interval. Argentina had created chances but could not beat the inspired goalkeeper.
Egypt had a goal disallowed by VAR shortly before the hour mark when Mostafa Zico finished off a sweeping attack, but a foul in the build-up was detected. The decision infuriated the Egyptian bench.
Zico was not to be denied, however. In the 67th minute, the 29-year-old stroked home Haissem Hassan’s delivery after a rapid counter-attack to leave Egypt on the brink of an unlikely quarter-final spot .
Argentina had created precious little up to that point, but Romero’s 79th-minute header sparked Lionel Scaloni’s team into life. Messi delivered a precise cross for the Tottenham defender to head home from close range.
Just four minutes and 18 seconds later, Messi slammed home his 21st World Cup goal via the underside of the crossbar to set up a frantic conclusion. He is now the first player in World Cup history to score in six consecutive knockout-stage matches.
Fernandez had the final say. In the 92nd minute, Lautaro Martinez delivered a brilliant cross, and the Chelsea midfielder rose highest to power a header past Shobeir. The goal sparked emotional celebrations, with Messi in tears after the final whistle.
Egypt were furious with the officials’ refusal to award a penalty for a foul on Salah shortly before Fernandez’s winner, with a member of the coaching staff sent off after the final whistle.
