World Cup 2026

Argentina vs Egypt highlights: Messi leads stunning comeback to reach World Cup quarterfinals

An epic comeback in 11 minutes erased a 2-0 deficit for Argentina and kept Messi’s World Cup dream alive. He provided an assist and scored the equalizer before Enzo Fernández netted the winner in the 92nd minute.

BRETT DAVIS

Aritz Gabilondo David Nelson

Atlanta (EE UU) Update: Jul 7th, 2026 14:47 EDT

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A gift from soccer to Messi, and from Messi to soccer. A remarkable comeback, an ending destined to become World Cup history, carried Argentina into the quarterfinals in an unforgettable match. It was a feat that once again elevated its leader to the sport’s highest pedestal and Enzo Fernández, who scored the decisive goal in the 92nd minute, to the summit of the beautiful game.

In just 11 minutes, La Albiceleste turned its own funeral, and Messi’s as well, into a resurrection. On the seventh day, like Jesus Christ, like the figure so many consider him to be in soccer, he rose again and lifted an entire nation with him.

Argentina in dire straits against Egypt

Argentina found itself walking a tightrope once more. Like a high-wire artist, everything that could go wrong did. Ibrahim’s early goal, Messi’s missed penalty, Shobeir’s saves to deny Julián Alvarez, and the growing sense of desperation that slowly engulfed the team.

Something has changed compared to the Argentina side that won the World Cup in Qatar, and it is something dangerous. Back then, it was a team unwavering in its beliefs, even when things were not going its way. At this World Cup, however, it has become a sea of doubt, starting with the bench, extending to several of its senior players, and affecting Messi more than ever before.

The reality is that players who have left Europe, such as Rodrigo De Paul and Leandro Paredes, cannot be the driving force behind a national team that aspires to be the best in the world. A change of formation and different personnel did little to alter Argentina’s appearance. It made no difference because, in truth, Argentina has only one game plan: hope Messi delivers.

Even he can have difficult moments, as he did when he missed the penalty that would have leveled the score shortly after Egypt’s opener. Credit must go to Ibrahim for his excellent header, but also to Lisandro Martínez for losing his marker. He had been one of Argentina’s most reliable defenders throughout the tournament, but the goal exposed him like never before.

Argentina sounded the alarm once again, far too many times already, as it tried to recover from a situation even more perilous than the one it faced against Cape Verde. With the anxiety of staring elimination in the face, even Messi looked human. After Tagliafico was brought down for a clear penalty, Leo stepped up and struck firmly toward the favored spot for left-footed players, only to be denied by Shobeir. It was his second missed penalty in five matches.

Julián Alvarez also had a major chance amid Argentina’s mounting nerves. After another dangerous run from Tagliafico, the Atlético Madrid forward found himself with a golden opportunity, but once again Shobeir came to Egypt’s rescue with another outstanding save. Egypt’s performance was beginning to look heroic as it tried to withstand the relentless pressure from an Argentina side desperately clinging to life.

Argentina threw everything forward. Fueled by nothing more than the blue and white of its jersey and the unwavering support pouring down from the stands, it leaped into the void without a safety net. The team survived on the shoulders of a lone Messi, the heroic Messi from so many unforgettable nights.

Argentina was effectively dead when Ziko made it 2-0 after a breathtaking move orchestrated by Hassan, Oviedo’s own Rivaldo. But VAR came to its rescue, ruling out the goal for a stamp on Lisandro Martínez at the opposite end of the field. Modern soccer rewound the play all the way back to its very beginning.

An incredible ending for Argentina vs Egypt

It was further proof that, with Argentina throwing caution to the wind and fielding a team lacking the pace to recover defensively, disaster could strike at any moment. It eventually did from one of Argentina’s own corners. Their transition defense was nowhere near good enough to cope with Egypt’s quality on the break. Mohamed Salah provided the spark with his driving run, Hassan created the imbalance with his final dribble and pass, and Ziko supplied the finish by arriving late into the box. It was a blow not only to logic and tactics, but to an entire country and its greatest legend.

But Messi is Messi. He was never going to let someone else write his story for him. Argentina refused to surrender. If pride counted more than soccer, this nation would have won far more than three World Cups. And if courage alone brought trophies, Argentinians would be unbeatable.

In the midst of a crisis, in a coma from which almost no one returns, with the soccer world rubbing its eyes in disbelief and Lionel Scaloni throwing everything forward with his substitutions, Messi turned the story around once again, just as he has done so many times before. He needed only two moments of brilliance. In the space of four minutes, his left foot shook the world.

First, he delivered a perfectly weighted cross for Cristian “Cuti” Romero, whose header reignited Argentina’s hopes of an incredible comeback. Then, amid the chaos, Messi took matters into his own hands. His left-footed shot took a touch off the goalkeeper and the crossbar before crossing the line, as if reminding the world that legends are always granted one extra life.

The final act was still to come. A counterattack started by Julián Alvarez with a long pass to Lautaro Martínez ended with a cross into the penalty area that Enzo Fernández, arriving late as he so often does, converted in the 92nd minute. Messi watched it all unfold with the calm of someone gently stroking a cat. Soccer belongs to him, and for now, so does the World Cup. He was dead, but he has risen. God has risen.

Argentina vs Egypt by the numbers

63.6% possession

Argentina dominated the ball, finishing with 63.6% possession compared to Egypt’s 36.4%.

2.80 expected goals

Scaloni’s side generated 2.80 xG, nearly three times Egypt’s 0.98, underlining its greater attacking threat.

19 total shots

Argentina attempted 19 shots, almost four times as many as Egypt, which managed just five.

602 completed passes

La Albiceleste also controlled possession through its passing, completing 602 passes to Egypt’s 349.

232 passes in the final third

Argentina’s attacking pressure never let up, completing 232 passes in the attacking third compared to Egypt’s 52.