From the brink of elimination to glory: World Cup comebacks fans will never forget
This World Cup has been full of high drama, late goals and stoppage time winners. Argentina were served up a scare by Egypt but made a miraculous comeback.
How much more drama can we handle in this World Cup? It seems like each game is better than the last, and Argentina were the latest team to pull off a miracle in the final 11 minutes of their round of 16 match against Egypt.
Argentina’s round of 16 miracle
Just a few days after a knockout match that went 120 minutes against Cabo Verde, the defending champions were staring down the barrel of the gun once again. Egypt shocked the Argentines with a goal from Hamdi Fathy in the first half, and doubled their lead when Mustafa Zico scored in the 67th.
Unfortunately for the Pharaohs that was much too much time to allow Lionel Messi and company to try and get back into the match. The Albiceleste clawed their way back into the game with a Cuti Romero goal in the 79th and Lionel Messi leveled the score with an 83rd minute goal.
An instant classic. Argentina vs Egypt was pure cinema 🎥 pic.twitter.com/wefi2hPMcf
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 7, 2026
It looked like Argentina were on their way to a second straight extra time session, but Enzo Martinez called game with a 93rd minute header to erase Egypt’s chances of making a historic run to the quarters. They won it in regulation, which topped Belgium’s comeback from earlier in the tournament when they scored two goals after the 85th minute and forced extra time before scoring a third from the penalty spot in the final minute before a shootout came.
The game of the century
Argentina’s comeback was incredible, and will almost certainly go down in as the best of this World Cup, but where does it rank in the history of the tournament? Well, the biggest comeback in the World Cup is a 3-0 comeback, and it’s happened twice. The first once came in the quarterfinals back in 1954 when Austria trailed Switzerland 3-0 before the 20 minute mark. Austria took just 12 minutes to turn the match around and take a 4-3 lead with goals in the 25th, 26th, 27th, 32nd and then a fifth in the 34th. The match eventually ended in a record setting 12 goal thriller as Austria won 7-5 setting the bar for wildest match in the World Cup awfully high.
Twelve years later, Portugal repeated history, making a three goal comeback on North Korea in the 1966 World Cup. It was the quarterfinals, and North Korea took a 3-0 lead in the 25th minute. Portuguese legend Eusebio scored four straight goals, two from the penalty spot and Jose Augusto capped the comeback off with the 5-3 in the 80th minute.
There have been a few games that have seen 2-0 comebacks but only one that took place in a final. It happened in 1954 when West Germany trailed Hungary by two goals after the 8th minute, but Maximilian Morlock scored in the 10th minute and then Helmut Rahn scored in the 18th and the winner in the 84th to crown West Germany champions for the first time. West Germany almost did it again when they came back on Argentina’s 2-0 lead in the second half, but allowed an 84th minute goal to Argentina as Maradonna won his one only World Cup.
Related stories
Real Madrid defends Mbappé
God has risen
Get closer to the game! Whether you like your soccer of the European variety or that on this side of the pond, our AS USA app has it all. Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more. Plus, stay updated on NFL, NBA and all other big sports stories as well as the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.
And there’s more: check out our TikTok and Instagram reels for bite-sized visual takes on all the biggest soccer news and insights.
Complete your personal details to comment