Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta after scoring three late goals to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals and keep Lionel Messi’s campaign alive.
Egypt led 2-0 through Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko before Argentina struck three times in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time.
Cristian Romero started the comeback with a header. Messi then equalised seven minutes from time with a half-volley that went in off the bar.
Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround two minutes into stoppage time. He headed in Lautaro Martinez’s cross to send the defending champions into the last eight.
Messi had earlier missed a penalty after Nicolas Tagliafico won a spot-kick. Mostafa Shobeir saved Messi’s effort and later denied Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
Egypt thought they had moved 2-0 ahead in the hour after Mohamed Salah released Ziko to score on a counterattack. VAR ruled out the goal for a foul on Lisandro Martinez at the start of the move.
Egypt restored their two-goal lead soon after through another break. Salah fed Haissem Hassan, whose cross found Ziko for the finish.
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Messi’s goal moved him back ahead in the Golden Boot race with eight goals in the tournament, according to the match report. It also gave him goals in nine consecutive World Cup matches.
Argentina will face either Colombia or Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.
