Goals: Yasser Ibrahim (14), Shobeir saves Messi penalty (18), Zico (66), Romero (74), Messi (78), and Enzo 90+2
Atlanta,7th July 2026 -The familiar heartbreak for African sides at the FIFA World Cup struck again as defending champions Argentina came from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic Round of 16 clash at Atlanta Georgia Stadium.
The Lionel Messi-led Albiceleste looked headed for an early exit after the Pharaohs struck twice, but a late surge saw Argentina snatch victory and book a quarterfinal date with the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia.
Egypt stunned the crowd in the 12th minute when Yasser Ibrahim rose highest to power home an inswinging corner, leaving goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez rooted as the ball nestled in the far corner.
Five minutes later, Pharaohs goalkeeper Mohamed Shobeir became the hero at the other end. After Argentina were awarded a penalty for a foul on defender Tagliafico, he dived low to his left to deny Messi from the spot.
Messi almost made amends in the 28th minute, but his curling free-kick from 20 yards crashed against the post and rolled wide.
Shobeir then produced one of the best saves of the tournament so far in the 38th minute, tipping over a close-range strike from Julian Alvarez after a pinpoint pass from Argentina’s Mollina.
After the break, Egypt thought they had extended their advantage in the 58th minute through Zico, but VAR ruled out the goal for a foul on Lisandro Martinez in the build-up.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni responded by bringing on Lautaro Martinez and Nicolas Gonzalez for Rodrigo De Paul and another midfielder, chasing more attacking firepower against Egypt’s stubborn defense.
The change almost backfired. In the 66th minute, Egypt broke from an Argentina corner. Mohamed Salah carried the ball forward, slipped in Mostafa Mohamed, who in turn found Zico to drill past Martinez for 2-0.
Hossam Hassan Egypt’s tactician brought Trezeguet who replaced Mostafa as they looked to shut up shop.
But Argentina were not done. In the 74th minute, Cristian Romero pulled one back, forcing a header that Shobeir could only parry into his own net after a whipped delivery from the right.
Four minutes later, Messi leveled it with his left-footed shot from the edge of the box slipped through Shobeir’s hands and trickled over the line.
With time running out, Argentina completed the comeback in second-half stoppage time, Lautaro Martinez swung in a cross and Enzo Fernandez soared to head it into the right corner, sparing Scaloni and silencing the Egyptian fans.
Argentina now advance to face the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia in the quarterfinals.
For Egypt, the questions linger again about African teams losing crucial World Cup matches late. All eyes now turn to Morocco, who face France next with a chance to “break the jinx” and reach back-to-back semifinals after their historic run in 2022. Time will tell.
