Argentina 3-2 Egypt: Romero 79, Messi 83, Fernandez 90+2; Ibrahim 15, Ziko 67
It seemed Egypt had managed to pull off a giant upset until an Argentina surge at the end produced a dramatic escape. Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time winner completed an incredible fightback from two goals down to defeat the Pharaohs 3-2 and send the south Americans into the quarter-finals.
Lionel Scaloni’s side looked destined for a shock exit in Atlanta after Yasser Ibrahim’s first-half header and Mostafa Zico’s strike put Egypt 2-0 ahead with little more than 10 minutes remaining. But Argentina found a way back, with Cristian Romero reducing the deficit before Lionel Messi fired his side level with an explosive hit, before Fernandez headed the winner deep into added time.
Egypt struck first after 15 minutes when Marwan Attia’s corner found Ibrahim, who rose ahead of Lisandro Martinez to head beyond Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina were handed an immediate opportunity to respond when Nicolas Tagliafico was brought down inside the penalty area by Haissem Hassan. Messi stepped up but failed to convert, with Mostafa Shobeir diving low to his left to produce an ultimately comfortable save.
It was the second time the Argentina captain had missed from the spot in open play at this tournament, the most of any player in history.
Ganó todo, lo logró todo, pero esas lágrimas demuestran que su hambre de gloria y su amor por esta camiseta no tienen techo 🥹
¡Gracias por sentirlo así, Capitán! 👑🐐 pic.twitter.com/2yBlQR42wM
— 🇦🇷 Selección Argentina ⭐⭐⭐ (@Argentina) July 7, 2026
Shobeir stood tall and continued to frustrate Argentina. Alexis Mac Allister was denied from close range before the goalkeeper reacted brilliantly to keep out Alvarez after the Atletico Madrid forward had been played through. Messi also came close with a free-kick but Shobeir handled it.
Argentina’s frustration deepened early in the second half when Zico thought he had doubled Egypt’s lead after being put through by Mohamed Salah on the counter, only for VAR to disallow the goal because of a foul earlier in the move.
It was hard to swallow for those of the Egyptian persuasion as there seemed to have been far too little contact with Martinez. But the reprieve proved temporary for Argentina as Egypt struck again in the 67th minute. Salah launched another swift attack and Hassan surged clear down the left before his cut-back was swept home by Zico to leave Argentina reeling.
But the holders found a route back in a rather short space of time. With 11 minutes remaining. Messi delivered a cross for Romero, who headed past Shobeir to reduce the deficit and restore belief.
Four minutes later the captain took matters into his own hands. Egypt failed to clear their lines inside the penalty area and Messi belted a shot that cannoned off the crossbar and into the net. It felt like advantage Argentina now, and soon it was, a cross from Lautaro Martinez, a header from Fernandez, and heartbreak for Egypt.
