Atlanta: Lionel Messi added another remarkable chapter to his World Cup career as Argentina produced a dramatic comeback to defeat Egypt 3 to 2 and reach the quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
The defending champions appeared to be heading towards a shock exit after falling two goals behind against a determined Egyptian side. With only 11 minutes of normal time remaining, Argentina were still trailing 2 to 0 and their hopes of defending the World Cup title were fading quickly. However, a remarkable late fightback changed the match completely.
Cristian Romero began the comeback in the 79th minute, giving Argentina hope at a time when Egypt were closing in on a historic victory. Just four minutes later, Messi scored the equaliser to bring Argentina level and completely change the mood inside the stadium in Atlanta.
Argentina continued to attack as Egypt struggled to recover from the sudden pressure. The winning moment arrived in stoppage time when Enzo Fernández found the net to complete an unforgettable turnaround. Argentina had scored three times in the closing stages to turn a possible elimination into a place in the quarterfinals.
The victory was especially memorable for Messi, who continued to rewrite World Cup history. His goal against Egypt took his total number of World Cup goals to 21. It was another major milestone for the Argentine captain, who has continued to play an important role for his country even in the later years of his career.
Messi also became the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup knockout matches. His scoring run has now extended to nine consecutive World Cup games, showing his remarkable consistency on football's biggest stage.
The goal was Messi's eighth of the 2026 tournament, putting him level with Guillermo Stábile's Argentine record for the most goals scored by a player in a single World Cup tournament.
However, the match was not easy for Messi. Earlier in the game, he missed a penalty that could have changed the direction of the contest. Egypt took advantage of Argentina's struggles and built a two goal lead, putting the defending champions under enormous pressure.
Instead of allowing the missed opportunity to affect him, Messi remained involved in Argentina's attack. His equalising goal became one of the most important moments of the match and helped inspire the final push that ended with Fernández scoring the winner.
The comeback itself also entered World Cup history. Argentina became the first team to recover from being at least two goals behind as late as the 79th minute and still win a World Cup match in normal time. The result showed the fighting spirit of a team that refused to accept defeat even when the situation appeared almost impossible.
For Egypt, the defeat brought a painful end to what had been their best World Cup campaign. The African side had already made history by reaching the knockout stage for the first time. They had also recorded their first World Cup victory during the tournament.
Against Argentina, Egypt came close to creating an even bigger moment in their football history. Their two goal advantage placed them within touching distance of eliminating the defending champions. But Argentina's late pressure proved too strong in the final minutes.
The match also showed why knockout football can change so quickly. Egypt had controlled the score for much of the contest, while Argentina struggled to find a way back. But once Romero scored the first goal, the momentum changed. Messi's equaliser increased the pressure, and Fernández completed the comeback when Argentina needed one final moment of quality.
Argentina will now turn their attention to the quarterfinals, where they are scheduled to face Switzerland on July 11. The defending champions remain in the race to retain their title, but the dramatic escape against Egypt will serve as a reminder that their journey will not be easy.
For Messi, the tournament continues to bring new records and memorable moments. His goal against Egypt was not only another addition to his personal statistics but also a crucial contribution when his country was facing elimination.
Argentina entered the closing stages of the match looking defeated, but within minutes they had completely changed their World Cup story. From two goals down to a 3 to 2 victory, the comeback in Atlanta will be remembered as one of the most dramatic moments of the 2026 World Cup and another historic night in Messi's extraordinary international career.