Argentina Stage Stunning Comeback to Beat Egypt 3-2 as Lionel Messi Recovers from Penalty Miss

Argentina recovered from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 and reach the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals after Lionel Messi overcame a first-half penalty miss to inspire a dramatic late turnaround.

ATLANTA, United States — Argentina produced one of the most dramatic recoveries of the 2026 FIFA World Cup to overturn a two-goal deficit and defeat Egypt 3-2, with Lionel Messi recovering from a first-half penalty miss to help send the defending champions into the quarter-finals.

For more than an hour, Egypt looked set to produce one of the tournament’s greatest upsets. Goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico had given the African champions a deserved 2-0 advantage against the reigning world champions, while goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir delivered an outstanding performance that frustrated Argentina throughout the opening period.

Messi’s afternoon appeared destined to become one of the most painful chapters of his remarkable international career after Shobeir denied him from the penalty spot in the first half.

Instead, it became another demonstration of Argentina’s resilience. Cristian Romero headed home in the 79th minute to halve the deficit before Messi responded four minutes later, finishing clinically to level the match and ignite celebrations among the large Argentine support inside Atlanta Stadium. Deep into stoppage time, Enzo Fernández completed the turnaround with a decisive header that secured a remarkable 3-2 victory.

The result extends Argentina’s defence of the World Cup and preserves Messi’s quest for another global title. For Egypt, the defeat brought an agonising end to a campaign that had exceeded many expectations.

Egypt threaten another World Cup shock

Having already impressed during the tournament, Egypt approached the Round of 16 tie with discipline, organisation and confidence.

Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring after rising highest to meet Marwan Attia’s cross, before Mostafa Zico doubled the advantage shortly after the hour mark following a swift attacking move.

Zico also had another effort ruled out following a video assistant referee review, a decision that proved significant as Argentina mounted their comeback. Later, Egypt appealed for a penalty after Mohamed Salah went to ground inside the penalty area during the build-up to Argentina’s winning goal, but play continued.

Despite those moments of controversy, Egypt produced one of their strongest performances on the World Cup stage in recent decades. Their defensive structure repeatedly frustrated Argentina’s attack, while Shobeir’s reflex saves kept the South Americans at bay during the first half. Only a relentless final 15 minutes prevented the Pharaohs from reaching their first World Cup quarter-final.

Messi delivers when Argentina needed him most

Much of the attention before kick-off centred on the meeting between Messi and Egypt’s captain Mohamed Salah—two of the defining footballers of their generation.

For long periods, however, neither was able to impose himself on proceedings. Messi’s missed penalty appeared likely to become the defining moment of the contest. Instead, the 39-year-old responded with characteristic composure, taking advantage of a loose ball inside the area to score Argentina’s equaliser before Enzo Fernández completed the comeback moments later.

The goal further strengthened Messi’s remarkable World Cup record and ensured Argentina avoided an early exit from the tournament. It also demonstrated the mental resilience that has characterised much of Argentina’s recent international success under Lionel Scaloni.

What the result means

Argentina advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winners of Switzerland and Colombia. For Egypt, elimination will be deeply painful, but the tournament has also highlighted the country’s growing competitiveness on the world stage.

Led by Salah and supported by an emerging generation of players, the Pharaohs pushed the defending champions to the brink and showed they are capable of competing with football’s traditional powers.

From an African football perspective, Egypt’s performance reinforces the narrowing gap between CAF’s leading nations and the sport’s established elite. Although the result ended in disappointment, the performance is likely to strengthen confidence ahead of future continental competitions and qualification campaigns.

Argentina, meanwhile, survived another stern examination. Championship-winning teams are often judged not only by how they dominate matches, but by how they respond when facing adversity. On an evening in Atlanta, Argentina showed they still possess that quality.

FIFA World Cup 2026

Argentina 3–2 Egypt

Round of 16 • Argentina complete late comeback after Messi penalty miss

Argentina 3

FT

Egypt 2

Scorers

Argentina

• Cristian Romero 79′
• Lionel Messi 83′
• Enzo Fernández 90+2′

Egypt

• Yasser Ibrahim 15′
• Mostafa Zico 67′