Argentina return from the brink to beat Egypt and reach World Cup quarter-finals

Argentina advanced to the last eight at the World Cup after recovering from a two-goal deficit to see off Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday.

Issued on: 07/07/2026 - 21:34

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Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring for Egypt in the 15th minute of the last 16 clash at the Atlanta Stadium.

Argentina skipper Lionel Messi fluffed a chance to equalise from the penalty spot six minutes later. Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir dived to his left to save the effort.

And Messi's misery was compounded mid way through the second half when Mostafa Zaki Abdelraouf doubled Egypt's advantage.

But with 11 minutes of regulation time as well as stoppage time remaining, Argentina began their fightback.

Messi floated a cross over from the right wing and Cristian Romero rose to head past Shobeir.

And four minutes later, Messi atoned for his earlier blunder.

Argentina fight back

The 39-year-old thrashed the ball into the net to level the tie.

Enzo Fernandez headed in the winner two minutes into stoppage time to maintain Argentina's defence of a crown they claimed at the expense of France in Qatar in 2022.

“This is a phenomenal group that never gives up," said Fernandez. "Four years have passed since Qatar, and we’ve come to enjoy another World Cup and we want to win it again. That’s what we’re aiming for.”

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The South Americans are bidding to become the first team to win back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

“I’m so emotional," said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni who led the squad to glory four years ago.

"What a group of players."

On Saturday in Kansas City, Argentina will play the winners of Tuesday night's game between Colombia and Switzerland in Vancouver.