The 2026 FIFA World Cup served up its most dramatic moment yet as Lionel Messi and Argentina produced a stunning late comeback to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16 on Tuesday in Atlanta, booking their place in the quarterfinals.
Trailing 2-0 with just 15 minutes remaining, La Albiceleste scored three unanswered goals in a breathtaking 15-minute spell that sent their fans into ecstasy and broke Egyptian hearts.
Egypt’s Dream Start
Egypt came out flying, with Yasser Ibrahim heading home the opener to give the Pharaohs a 1-0 lead at halftime. Things went from bad to worse for Argentina when Lionel Messi — uncharacteristically — missed a first-half penalty, the ball sailing wide of the post.
Egypt doubled their lead early in the second half, and with the clock ticking past the 70th minute, Argentina looked destined for an early exit from the tournament.
The Comeback
Argentina refused to surrender. With the crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium roaring them on, the South American champions finally found their rhythm. A scrappy goal pulled one back in the 75th minute, giving Argentina a lifeline.
Then came the moment the world was waiting for. In the 83rd minute, Messi — who had been quiet all match — produced a moment of magic. He collected the ball on the edge of the box, shrugged off a defender, and rifled a low shot into the bottom corner to make it 2-2.
Messi was visibly emotional, and the stadium erupted. But Argentina wasn’t done yet.
Deep into stoppage time, Enzo Fernandez wrote his name into World Cup folklore. The Chelsea midfielder smashed home the winner from close range, completing a remarkable turnaround and sending Argentina through to the last eight.
Messi was in tears at full-time, overcome by the emotion of the fightback that kept his World Cup dream alive.
Switzerland vs Colombia: The Other Round of 16 Thriller
The day’s second Round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia in Vancouver was a tense, scoreless affair that went to extra time. Colombia hit the crossbar through Jhon Lucumi, while both goalkeepers — Gregor Kobel and Camilo Vargas — made crucial saves to keep the game alive. The winner would face Argentina in the quarterfinals.
Quarterfinal Matchups Set
With two quarterfinal spots still to be decided, the confirmed matchups are taking shape:
- France vs. Morocco — Thursday, July 9
- Spain vs. Belgium — Friday, July 10
- Norway vs. England — Saturday, July 11
- Argentina vs. Switzerland/Colombia — Saturday, July 11
FAQ
Who scored for Argentina against Egypt?
Lionel Messi scored the crucial equalizer in the 83rd minute (his 5th goal of the tournament), and Enzo Fernandez bagged the stoppage-time winner. The first Argentine goal remains unconfirmed but came in the 75th minute to start the comeback.
When is the World Cup Final?
The 2026 FIFA World Cup Final will be played on Sunday, July 19 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
How many teams are in the 2026 World Cup?
The expanded tournament features 48 teams, up from 32 in previous editions. The knockout stage consists of 32 teams after the group stage.