ATLANTA, USA: Defending champions Argentina pulled off an astonishing comeback on Tuesday, scoring three goals in the final 11 minutes to snatch a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt and book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Enzo Fernandez headed the winning goal three minutes into stoppage time from a Lautaro Martinez cross, leaving Egypt stunned and heartbroken after they had thought they were heading to extra time.
THIS IS MESSI BOYS…!!!! THIS IS GOD PLAN…!!!!
0-2 down till 78th min then Messi turned into a God for Argentina 🥹
A Comeback for ages, Argentina going into Quarter Final, It’s 3-2, 3 GOALS IN JUST 14 MINUTES.
MESSI – THE GOD OF FOOTBALL. pic.twitter.com/GFfoXPzsIl
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) July 7, 2026
A night of drama and controversy
The match at Atlanta’s stadium was filled with twists, turns and controversial decisions that left Egypt furious. A member of their coaching staff was shown a red card after the winning goal as tempers flared following a number of calls that went against the African side.
Argentina’s relief was on full display at the final whistle, with Lionel Messi shedding tears of joy as he embraced his teammates.
Egypt take early control
Egypt went ahead in the 15th minute when Yasser Ibrahim powered a header into the far corner, beating his marker Lisandro Martinez.
Argentina had a golden chance to level five minutes later when Nicolas Tagliafico was brought down inside the box. But Messi’s penalty was saved by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, the Argentina captain’s second miss from the spot in the tournament. He has now missed four of his eight non-shootout penalties at World Cups.
Shobeir was in inspired form throughout the match, producing a string of brilliant saves. He denied Alexis Mac Allister from point-blank range and then produced one of the saves of the tournament to stop Julian Alvarez’s shot from finding the bottom corner.
Controversy and Egypt’s second goal
Egypt thought they had doubled their lead on the hour mark when Mostafa Zico scored after a brilliant counter-attack. However, Egyptian celebrations were cut short by a controversial VAR intervention, which ruled out the goal for a foul on Lisandro Martinez at the start of the build-up.
Argentina’s relief was short-lived, as Egypt struck again moments later. Mohamed Salah led another blistering break before feeding Haissem Hassan, whose cross was swept in by Zico to make it 2-0.
Never in doubt for Argentina. 🤥
Moments after Leandro Paredes stopped a promising Egypt counter, Lautaro Martinez picked up the ball and surged down the wing before delivering a delightful cross that was headed home beautifully by Enzo Fernandez.
The 2022 World Cup winners do… pic.twitter.com/BpTVqAdXrW
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) July 7, 2026
Argentina’s remarkable fightback
With Argentina looking beaten and heads bowed during the second-half drinks break, the defending champions found an unlikely spark.
Cristian Romero pulled one back with 11 minutes remaining, heading home from a free header. Shobeir got a hand to it but couldn’t keep it out.
Four minutes later, Messi produced a moment of magic. A brilliant run teed up Lautaro Martinez, whose cross was fed back to the Argentina captain. Messi struck sweetly on the half-volley, and although Shobeir got a touch, the ball cannoned in off the bar. It was Messi’s 21st World Cup goal.
🇦🇷 Argentina comeback in 13 minutes! 3-2 Egypt. Into the Quarter-Finals! 🔥 Messi Magic! pic.twitter.com/9jr3zedZao
— Raghu (@IndiaTales7) July 7, 2026
Then came the decisive moment. In the third minute of stoppage time, Lautaro Martinez delivered a perfect cross, and Enzo Fernandez powered his header past Shobeir to complete the astonishing turnaround.
Argentina will face either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals on Saturday in Kansas. Egypt, meanwhile, will wonder what might have been after coming so close to eliminating the defending champions.
