Argentina vs Egypt produced one of the most dramatic games of the FIFA World Cup 2026. The defending champions were 2-0 down with 11 minutes to go, but three goals in the final 15 minutes sent Argentina into the quarterfinals with a stunning 3-2 win at Atlanta Stadium on 7 July 2026.
Argentina vs Egypt Match Result
| Team | Score |
|---|---|
| Argentina | 3 |
| Egypt | 2 |
Venue: Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium), Atlanta, USA
Stage: Round of 16, FIFA World Cup 2026
Date: 7 July 2026 (Pakistan time: 8 July 2026, early morning)
How the Goals Were Scored
Egypt came out flying. Yasser Ibrahim headed home in the 15th minute to give the Pharaohs an early lead. Argentina looked rattled. Messi had a golden chance to level from the spot but Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved his penalty, diving to his left.
It got worse for Argentina in the second half. Mostafa Zico doubled Egypt’s lead in the 67th minute after a sharp run from Hassan on the right wing. At 0-2 down, it looked like the defending champions were heading home early.
Then the magic happened. Cristian Romero pulled one back with a header from Messi’s cross in the 79th minute. Four minutes later, Messi redeemed himself with a clinical first-time strike to make it 2-2. And deep into stoppage time, Enzo Fernandez headed in a cross from Lautaro Martinez to complete a comeback that nobody saw coming.
Goal Summary
| Minute | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| 15′ | Yasser Ibrahim | Egypt |
| 67′ | Mostafa Zico | Egypt |
| 79′ | Cristian Romero | Argentina |
| 83′ | Lionel Messi | Argentina |
| 90+2′ | Enzo Fernandez | Argentina |
Messi Penalty Miss and Historic Goals
Messi’s night had a rocky start. His first-half penalty was saved by Shobeir, making it the second time in this tournament alone that the captain missed from the spot. He had also failed to score against Austria in the group stage. That made him the first player ever to miss two penalties in a single World Cup tournament.
But Messi being Messi, he bounced back. His 83rd-minute goal pushed his total to 8 goals in this World Cup, extending his all-time record to 20 World Cup goals across his career. He also moved back to the top of the Golden Boot race. The Argentina vs Egypt game reminded the world exactly why Messi, now 39, is still the most important player at this tournament.
Egypt’s Heroic Run Ends
Egypt’s performance deserves huge credit. This was their first-ever Round of 16 appearance at a World Cup, and they came agonisingly close to a famous upset. Shobeir had an inspired game in goal, making multiple brilliant saves. Mohamed Salah, playing in what is likely his final World Cup, leaves the tournament with his head held high. Egypt showed real quality and gave Argentina a massive scare.
Switzerland Also Reach Quarterfinals
In the other Round of 16 match on the same day, Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation and extra time. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel was the hero, saving Cucho Hernandez’s effort. Ruben Vargas scored the decisive penalty to send Switzerland through. It is Switzerland’s first World Cup quarterfinal in over 70 years.
FIFA World Cup 2026 Quarterfinals Schedule
All eight teams are now confirmed. Here is the full quarterfinals schedule (times in Pakistan Standard Time, PST = ET + 9 hours):
| Match | Date | ET Time | PST | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| France vs Morocco | Thu 9 Jul | 4 PM | 1 AM (10 Jul) | Foxborough, MA |
| Spain vs Belgium | Fri 10 Jul | 3 PM | 12 AM (11 Jul) | Inglewood, CA |
| Norway vs England | Sat 11 Jul | 5 PM | 2 AM (12 Jul) | Miami Gardens |
| Argentina vs Switzerland | Sat 11 Jul | 9 PM | 6 AM (12 Jul) | Kansas City |
For the full official schedule and more details, visit the FIFA World Cup 2026 official website or the FIFA World Cup 2026 Wikipedia page.
What This Means Going Forward
Argentina are now on a collision course with Switzerland in Kansas City on Saturday 11 July. Messi and his team will be heavy favourites, but this Argentina vs Egypt game proved that no lead is safe in this World Cup. On the other side of the bracket, France take on Morocco in a blockbuster clash that promises fireworks. The semifinals will take place on 14 and 15 July, with the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on 19 July.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the final score of Argentina vs Egypt at FIFA World Cup 2026?
Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic comeback in the Round of 16. Argentina were 0-2 down before scoring three goals in the last 15 minutes. The match was played at Atlanta Stadium on 7 July 2026.
Who scored for Argentina against Egypt?
Cristian Romero scored in the 79th minute, Lionel Messi scored in the 83rd minute, and Enzo Fernandez completed the comeback with a stoppage-time header in the 90+2nd minute.
Who scored for Egypt against Argentina?
Yasser Ibrahim scored a header in the 15th minute for Egypt’s first goal. Mostafa Zico added a second in the 67th minute to put Egypt 2-0 up before Argentina’s comeback.
Who will Argentina play in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals?
Argentina will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Saturday, 11 July 2026, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Kick-off is at 9 PM ET, which is 6 AM PST on 12 July.