Argentina 3-2 Egypt
Argentina goals: Cristian Romero (79), Lionel Messi (84), Enzo Fernández (90+2) Egypt goals: Yasser Ibrahim (15), Mostafa Ziko (67)
Argentina produced a comeback for the ages to edge Egypt in the Round of 16 at the FIFA World Cup 2026™.
Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko had Hossam Hassan’s Pharaohs on the cusp of one of the competition’s greatest upsets at Atlanta Stadium, but late goals form Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández transformed the outcome.
Argentina will now play Switzerland in the quarter-finals.
Ibrahim headed Egypt into a shock lead, before Mostafa Shoubir protected it magnificently. The goalkeeper dived south-west to save a Messi penalty, which Nicolás Tagliafico had craftily earned, and made superb stops from Alexis Mac Allister and Julián Alvarez.
Egypt thought they had made it two just before the hour. Haissem Hassan made an imperial dash down the right and fed Salah, who enabled Ziko to ripple the net. The goal was, however, ruled out for a foul in the build-up. It merely delayed the Al Ahly man doubling the lead, though, as he finished off a rapid counter-attack involving Salah and Hassan.
It left Egypt on the cusp of victory, but after Romero pulled one back, Messi’s brilliant finish equalised and Fernández completed an epic survival story.
Stats
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Mostafa Shoubeir, who repelled a spot-kick from IR Iran’s Mehdi Taremi in the group stage, became only the fourth goalkeeper to save two penalties in games in one World Cup. The 26-year-old emulated Pole Jan Tomaszewski, American Brad Friedel and another Pole in Wojciech Szczesny.
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Enzo Fernández scored the 3,000th goal in World Cup history.
What they said…
“I can’t look up, I’m sorry. I’m really emotional right now. What a group of players. That’s it, I’ve got to go.” Lionel Scaloni, Argentina coach
“I’d been longing for that goal for about three years, since the Qatar World Cup. Being able to experience moments like this, honestly, I thank God, I’m privileged. And I want to highlight my teammates – we have a phenomenal group, a group that never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity. We’re always together. Thanks to my teammates, to the coaching staff, and to everyone cheering us on here and all the Argentinians back home in Argentina. One more step forward.” Enzo Fernández, Argentina midfielder
Information and Photos Courtesy of FIFA
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