Three Goals in a Row! Messi with 1 Goal and 1 Assist, Enzo's Injury-Time Header, Argentina Stuns Egypt in Epic Comeback to Reach Quarterfinals

In a thrilling Round of 16 clash at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Mexico, and Canada, defending champions Argentina faced off against Egypt at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Thanks to a goal and an assist from Lionel Messi and a stoppage-time header from Enzo Fernández, Argentina completed a stunning 3-2 comeback from two goals down to secure a hard-fought place in the quarterfinals.

Egypt struck first early on. In the 15th minute, Attia delivered an accurate cross from the right, and Yasser Ibrahim rose above Lisandro Martínez to head home, giving Egypt the lead. Argentina quickly mounted a response. In the 19th minute, Tagliafico was tripped in the box after a driving run, and the referee awarded a penalty. However, Messi's spot-kick was brilliantly saved by Egyptian goalkeeper El Shenawy, marking the second penalty Messi has missed at this World Cup. A subsequent free kick from Messi hit the crossbar, and the first half ended with Argentina trailing 0-1.

The second half saw a sudden shift as Egypt doubled their lead. In the 67th minute, Mohamed Salah carried the ball forward before laying it off, and Zizo latched onto it to slot home, making it 2-0. Earlier, Egypt had a goal disallowed by VAR due to a foul, but this attack pushed Argentina to the brink.

The defending champions showed immense resilience in the face of danger. In the 79th minute, Messi delivered a pinpoint cross from the right, and Cristian Romero headed home to pull one back for Argentina. Just five minutes later, in the 84th minute, Messi calmly slotted home after a scramble in the box, completing a goal and an assist to level the score at 2-2. This goal was Messi's 21st in World Cups, extending his record as the all-time top scorer.

The dramatic climax came in stoppage time. In the 92nd minute, substitute Lautaro Martínez delivered a cross from the right, and Enzo Fernández powered a header into the net, sealing a three-goal comeback for Argentina. The final score was 3-2, sending Argentina into the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of the match between Switzerland and Colombia. Egypt, meanwhile, saw their World Cup journey end in the Round of 16.