Argentina, Messi (foto: Getty Images)
Argentina recovered from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2, with Lionel Messi leading a remarkable late comeback to send the reigning champions into the World Cup quarter-finals.
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Argentina produced the comeback of the 2026 World Cup, recovering from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic Round of 16 clash and book their place in the quarter-finals.
For more than an hour at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium, the defending world champions looked to be heading for a stunning elimination. Then Lionel Messi took control, inspiring one of the greatest turnarounds of the tournament.
Argentina began brightly and almost took the lead in the 10th minute, but Enzo Fernández failed to convert after an excellent pass from Rodrigo De Paul.
Instead, Egypt struck first.
In the 15th minute, Yasser Ibrahim rose highest to head past Emiliano Martínez, giving the Pharaohs a shock 1-0 lead after Argentina failed to deal with a dangerous delivery.
The world champions had a golden opportunity to equalise four minutes later when they were awarded a penalty after a foul on Nicolás Tagliafico.
Messi stepped up, but goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produced a superb save to deny the Argentine captain from the spot.
Argentina continued to create chances before halftime, but Egypt defended heroically. The Africans even thought they had doubled their lead before the break, only for VAR to disallow the goal because of a foul earlier in the move.
They did not have to wait long for a second goal.
In the 67th minute, Mohamed Salah launched a lightning-fast counterattack before Hassan squared the ball for Mostafa Ziko, who calmly finished to make it 2-0 and leave Argentina staring at elimination.
The champions finally found a way back in the 79th minute. Messi delivered a dangerous cross and defender Cristian Romero powered home a header to ignite Argentina's comeback.
Five minutes later, Messi found the equaliser himself, reacting quickest inside the penalty area to score from close range and restore hope for Lionel Scaloni's side.
Egypt had a golden opportunity to regain the lead moments later but failed to convert, a miss they would quickly regret.
Deep into stoppage time, Argentina completed the turnaround. A swift counterattack ended with Enzo Fernández finishing confidently to spark wild celebrations among the Argentine players and supporters.
It was an extraordinary escape for the reigning world champions, who looked destined for elimination before producing one of the most memorable comebacks of the tournament.
2026 World Cup, Round of 16
Egypt 2-3 Argentina
Yasser Ibrahim 15', Mostafa Ziko 67'; Romero 79', Messi 84', Enzo Fernández 90+2'
Egypt: Shobeir, Hafez, Rabia, Ibrahim, Hany, Lasheen, Attia, Hassan, Ashour, Salah, Ziko.
Substitutes: Fathy (46'), Trezeguet (73'), Marmoush (80').
Coach: Hossam Hassan.
Argentina: Emiliano Martínez, Tagliafico, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, Molina, Paredes, Alexis Mac Allister, Enzo Fernández, Rodrigo De Paul, Julián Álvarez, Lionel Messi.
Substitutes: Nicolás González, Lautaro Martínez (66'), Gonzalo Montiel (73'), Nicolás Otamendi, Facundo Medina (90+2').
Coach: Lionel Scaloni.
Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta.
Referee: François Letexier (France).