Argentina 3-2 Egypt - 2026 World Cup Match Report and Player Ratings
Messi Stars as Argentina Comeback to Edge Past Inspired Egypt
Lionel Messi's late arrival was more than welcomed by the world champions, who came back from two goals down to win 3-2 against Egypt in Atlanta, Georgia, to put an end to a fiery Egypt performance and remarkable World Cup run.
A first half goal by Yasser Ibrahim stunned La Albiceleste, but a second half strike from Mostafa Ziko really had the reigning champs on the ropes. However, Messi stood tall, and grabbed an assist and a goal inside just four minutes to flip the game on its head - before a stoppage-time header from Enzo Fernandez spared millions of blushes.
Messi's last dance continues, and here is this thrilling clash, as it happened.
Argentina 3-2 Egypt As it Happened
The final day of the Round of 16 started in Atlanta, Georgia, at the same venue which almost saw one of the greatest World Cup upsets when England came back late to squeeze past DR Congo - Argentina came into the game having also just avoiding an upset in the last 32 against Cabo Verde, and Lionel Scaloni would've looked for his side to respond against Mo Salah's Egypt side, who had definitely exceeded expectations already.
It was Egypt who looked slightly brighter of the two sides in the opening 10 minutes or so, drawing multiple fouls, and even forcing Lisandro Martinez into a headed clearance following a delightful delivery into the box from Marwan Ateya as they looked to keep the World Champions honest during the early exchanges.
The reigning champs found themselves behind too within a quarter of an hour. Just like from minutes before, another excellent delivery from a similar position from Ateya in towards Ibrahim, who rose high to head the ball comfortably past a helpless Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina searched for an immediate response and they got just that. Nicolas Tagliafico made a darting run into the box from the left side, and Haissem Hassan was caught unaware by the Lyon full-back and clumsily rammed into him. However, it was another nightmare from 12 yards from the magician, as Messi had his spot-kick saved superby by Mostafa Shobeir - meaning he has now missed half of his career World Cup penalties, but more importantly, Egypt's lead stayed intact approaching the hydration break.
Messi MISSES another penalty 🙅♂️
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 7, 2026
Egypt's keeper Mostafa Shobeir throws himself at the ball to stop
Argentina capitalising on a foul on Nicolas Tagliafico 🫨 pic.twitter.com/O3RuRaU5aa
Le Albiceleste didn't give up on getting that prized equaliser before the break, as they strung together plenty of chaces on quick break. With Alexis Mac Allister guiding a brilliant headed chances straight at Shobeir and Enzo firing a shot straight into an Egypt defender, Messi came close from a long range free-kick which hammered into the upright as Egypt got to breathe again.
Shobeir continued his incredible first half performance soon after. An excellent ball directed towards the far post was met well by Tagliafico, and his perfect cut back went straight into the path of Julian Alvarez. Just when everyone in the stadium was almost certain that this would be the equaliser, Alvarez's point-blank strike was remarkably tipped round the post by Shobeir.
Half-Time Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt
Although an early equaliser would have been ideal, Argentina bided their time at the start of the second period, looking to carefully craft chances and draw fouls - but nothing was quite coming of it. But soon, it was the fans in red who would have something to scream about. Initally anyway.
Snatching the ball off Lisandro Martinez in their own half, an excellent and efficient quick break was finished off superbly well by Mostafa Ziko, if it weren't for a VAR intervention - Argentina weren't out of it yet, but god they needed to kick into gear soon.
SCENES IN ATLANTA! 🫨
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 7, 2026
Mostafa Ziko scores on the second time of asking after his first was ruled out by VAR pic.twitter.com/0QH3wwqR3g
Scaloni soon looked to his bench for any inspiration, but they would barely have any time to settle before their task was made that bit steeper. Mo Salah picked up the ball on the edge of his box from an Argentine corner and made a brilliant run all the way down the other end of the pitch before playing in Haissem Hassan. The 24-year-old played in a perfect ball for Ziko who snuck in front of an unaware Lisandro Martinez for the second time and bulged Emi Martinez's net once again to put his side in dreamland.
Argentina began to finally find some urgency in their play, and eventually got a goal back. A delightful cross from who else but Messi to find Cristian Romero, perfectly positioned to head past Shobeir - but not without him getting a hand on it. Game on.
Messi almost found himself grabbing a second assist moments later. Weaving his way in and out of the Egyptian defence to find himself on the byline next to the goal, he toe-poked towards Lautaro Martinez, but his header went straight into the floor and over. Messi soon entered centre stage to ruin any hope of a historic upset.
After missing a penalty, Messi finally found himself in a position in the box where he could be utterly ruthless. A thrashing half-volley in what was a complete scramble smashed through the gloves of Shobeir as their hopes of a memorable win faded on the spot.
Oh Egypt, how did you let this slip away.
20 minutes from their first-ever World Cup Quarter final, this was where experience, class and hunger would come in clutch. Moments after an Egypt penalty claim was waved away, Julian Alvarez picked up the ball and fired it up towards a wide open Martinez on the right side. After steadying himself, waiting for backup, it was Enzo Fernandez who made his signature late run into the box to pick his spot and head his side into the last eight for the fourth time in the last five World Cups.
What an inspirational run from Egypt, but it will the juggernauts who march on.
Full-Time Score: Argentina 3-2 Egypt
𝑨𝑹𝑮𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑰𝑵𝑨 𝑽𝑺 𝑬𝑮𝒀𝑷𝑻 𝑳𝑰𝑵𝑬𝑼𝑷𝑺!! 🇦🇷⚔️🇪🇬
— Sportskeeda Football (@skworldfootball) July 7, 2026
The starting XIs are out for this massive FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash. ✅🔖
Who reaches the quarter-finals? 👀#Argentina #Egypt #FIFAWorldCup #WC2026 pic.twitter.com/vU5HrsSQAk
Argentina Player Ratings
- Emiliano Martinez - 5
- Nicolas Tagliafico - 6
- Lisandro Martinez - 5
- Cristian Romero - 8
- Nahuel Molina - 6
- Enzo Fernandez - 8
- Leandro Paredes - 7
- Alexis Mac Allister - 7
- Rodrigo De Paul - 7
- Julian Alvarez - 6
- Lionel Messi - 9
Substitutes:
- Nico Gonzalez (66') - 6
- Lautaro Martinez (66') - 6
- Gonzalo Montiel (73') - 6
- Facundo Medina (90') - N/A
- Nicolas Otamendi (90') - N/A
Egypt Player Ratings
- Mostafa Shobeir - 6
- Karim Hafez - 5
- Ramy Rabia - 6
- Yasser Ibrahim - 7
- Mohamed Hany - 6
- Marwan Ateya - 6
- Mohanad Lasheen - 6
- Haissem Hassan - 7
- Mohamed Salah - 7
- Emam Ashour - 7
- Mostafa Ziko - 7
Substitutes:
- Hamdi Fathi (HT) - 6
- Trezeguet (73') - 6
- Omar Marmoush (80') - 6
- Zizo (90') - N/A
Messi saves Argentina! 🇦🇷
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) July 7, 2026
And what a goal to make things equal in Atlanta pic.twitter.com/x6EmMoiaF7
Player of the Match - Lionel Messi
Will this man ever go away! He never backed down from a fight, and just one day after Cristiano Ronaldo's journey in his final World Cup drew to a close, it looked like a similar fate would be headed Messi's way after 70 minutes.
However, the GOAT will always do GOAT things, and Messi once again stepped up when his side were in dire need of inspiration.
Within four minutes, a brilliant cross was followed by thunderous half-volley as he keeps Argentina in the World Cup by the slimmest of margins.
One of the great's stories may have drawn to a heart-breaking close; but for the other, he marches on to another last eight appearance.
Louis Wheeldon 
Harry Pascoe 
Jake Brown 