Lionel Messi proved once again why he is considered the greatest of all time as Argentina pulled off a miraculous 3-2 comeback victory against Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16, erasing a two-goal deficit in the final ten minutes to keep their title defense alive.
The Comeback for the Ages
Playing at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta on July 6, the reigning champions looked dead and buried. Egypt struck first through Yasser Ibrahim, who headed home unmarked from a Marwan Attia cross after just 15 minutes. The Pharaohs, backed by a passionate crowd, were organized, dangerous on the counter, and completely unfazed by Argentina’s star-studded lineup.
Things went from bad to worse when Messi stepped up for a penalty midway through the first half — only to see his spot-kick saved by the outstanding Mostafa Shobeir. It was Messi’s fourth missed penalty from eight World Cup attempts, and for a moment, it felt like Argentina’s reign was about to end.
Egypt doubled their lead through Mostafa Zico, who finished off a devastating counter-attack after having a goal controversially disallowed earlier. At 2-0 down with just over ten minutes remaining, Argentina appeared finished.
But Messi had other plans.
The GOAT Delivers When It Matters Most
With time running out, Messi turned provider, delivering a pin-point cross for Cristian Romero to head home and halve the deficit in the 83rd minute. The stadium erupted as Argentina sensed blood. Just five minutes later, Messi thundered home a dramatic equalizer, making amends for his earlier penalty miss in the most emphatic fashion.
If that wasn’t enough, the drama wasn’t finished. Deep into stoppage time, Lautaro Martinez produced one of the finest crosses you will ever see from the left wing, finding an onrushing Enzo Fernandez who powered a header past Shobeir to complete an extraordinary turnaround. Argentina had somehow gone from 2-0 down to 3-2 up in the space of ten remarkable minutes.
World Cup 2026 — What’s Next?
Argentina’s victory sets up a quarter-final clash as the tournament moves into its decisive phase. The 2026 World Cup — hosted across the United States, Canada, and Mexico — has delivered chaos, drama, and historic upsets at every turn.
Brazil was sensationally knocked out by Norway and Erling Haaland, while Portugal — led by a 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo — was eliminated by Spain. The United States suffered a humiliating 4-1 defeat to Belgium, casting doubt on Mauricio Pochettino’s future as head coach.
The semi-finals are set to take place on:
- Semi-Final 1: Tuesday, July 14 — AT&T Stadium, Dallas, Texas
- Semi-Final 2: Wednesday, July 15 — Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia
- Final: Sunday, July 19 — MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Frequently Asked Questions
How many World Cups has Messi won?
Lionel Messi has won one World Cup — the 2022 edition in Qatar, where he captained Argentina to a memorable final victory over France. He is now chasing a second title in what is likely his final World Cup appearance at age 39.
Where is the 2026 World Cup Final being played?
The 2026 World Cup Final will be played at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on July 19. This is the first World Cup hosted by three nations — the United States, Canada, and Mexico — and the first with an expanded 48-team format.
Is this the last World Cup for Cristiano Ronaldo?
Yes, at 41 years old, Ronaldo made his sixth and final World Cup appearance in 2026. Portugal were eliminated by Spain in the Round of 16, prompting manager Roberto Martinez to resign. Ronaldo ended his World Cup career as the tournament’s all-time leading goalscorer but without adding another trophy to his collection since Euro 2016.