Argentina resurrect in Atlanta: from 0-2 down to 3-2 victory over Egypt with Messi and Enzo as heroes
- Argentina came back from 0-2 against Egypt to win 3-2 in Atlanta with goals from Cuti Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernández in a 25-minute comeback
- Messi scored his eighth goal of the tournament and his ninth consecutive World Cup match scoring at 39 years old, consolidating himself as the Golden Boot leader
- Enzo Fernández sealed the comeback with a perfect header in stoppage time (90+3), showing that Argentina has the soul of a champion and must be 'killed twice'
If anyone doubted the world champions, take note. Argentina came back from 0-2 down against Egypt and won 3-2 in Atlanta, in a comeback of the kind you tell your grandkids about. From the depths of despair to absolute euphoria in 25 minutes: Cuti's goal, Messi's goal and Enzo Fernández's header deep into stoppage time to send the albiceleste fans into meltdown.
The match. Egypt came out fearless and struck first: Yasser Ibrahim headed in the 0-1 in the 14th minute and, to make matters worse, Messi missed a penalty in the 20th. When Ziko made it 0-2 in the 67th, half the world could already smell an upset brewing. But this Argentina side has the heart of champions: Cuti Romero pulled one back with a header in the 79th, and the stadium erupted.
Messi, because it's always Messi. In the 83rd, with Egypt under siege, the number 10 appeared to rifle home the equaliser. It's his eighth goal of the tournament —outright leader in the Golden Boot race— and his ninth consecutive World Cup match scoring. At 39 years old. I honestly don't know what else to write about this man that I haven't already written.
Enzo, the stoppage-time hero. And just when extra time was looming, a perfectly weighted cross from Lautaro Martínez and a perfect header from Enzo Fernández in the 90+3rd for 3-2. Comeback complete, Messi in tears on the pitch and a lesson for the world: you have to kill this Argentina twice. Egypt, who came agonisingly close to pulling off the shock of the tournament, head home with their heads held high.
What's next. Argentina will play the quarter-finals against Switzerland in the early hours of Saturday to Sunday (03:00 Spanish time) at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Fair warning: the Swiss haven't conceded a single goal in the knockout stages. This is going to be a proper thriller.
📊 Match stats: line-ups, statistics and scoreline · 📰 Quarter-finals preview: how the eight teams arrive
Frequently asked questions
How did the Argentina-Egypt Round of 16 match end at the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina 3-2 Egypt, on 7 July 2026 at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta. Egypt took a 0-2 lead with goals from Yasser Ibrahim (14') and Ziko (67'), and Argentina came back with Cuti Romero (79'), Messi (83') and a header from Enzo Fernández in the 90+3.
Who does Argentina face in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup?
Argentina will face Switzerland in the early hours of Saturday 11 to Sunday 12 July (03:00 Spanish time) at the Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City.
How many goals has Messi scored at the 2026 World Cup?
After his goal against Egypt, Messi has 8 goals and leads the Golden Boot standings at the 2026 World Cup, while also extending his streak to nine consecutive World Cup matches scoring.
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