Title Defence Alive: Messi Penalty Miss Forgotten As Albiceleste Sink Pharaohs In 13-Minute Resurrection
Argentina Vs Egypt Match Gallery, FIFA World Cup 2026: Holders Argentina staged a late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 in a breathtaking Round of 16 clash in Atlanta. The Pharaohs, masterfully drilled by Hossam Hassan, stunned the world champions early when Yasser Ibrahim scored in the 15th minute. Moments later, Egyptian keeper Mostafa Shobeir cemented his generational performance by saving a Lionel Messi penalty. When Mostafa Ziko finished a lethal counter-attack in the 67th minute, even as Mohamed Salah stayed quiet, an upset felt certain. However, Lionel Scaloni's Albiceleste refused to die. Cristian Romero sparked life with a 79th-minute header. Moments later, Messi redeemed himself, smashing a volley off the crossbar. The pandemonium struck in the 92nd minute when Enzo Fernandez rose highest to head home the winner. With their title defence alive, Argentina advance to face Switzerland or Colombia in the quarterfinals. See the best photos from the ARG vs EGY football match here:
Argentina fans display a banner depicting Leo Messi and Diego Armando Maradona, ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S.Lesser)
Argentina's Lionel Messi arrives at the stadium for the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah arrives at the stadium for the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan arrives at the stadium for the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Egypt players talk before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni arrives at the stadium for the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S.Lesser)
Argentina goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez (23) ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S.Lesser)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10), left, leads Leandro Paredes (5) and Rodrigo De Paul (7) ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S.Lesser)
Egyptian players warm up for the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Argentina players warm up for the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) waves to the fans before the start of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
A supporter holds a flag during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
A supporter plays a drum before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Egyptian fans cheer before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Fifa staff place a Fifa logo on the pitch before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
The FIFA logo is displayed on the pitch before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Referee Francois Letexier, center, of France, and his assistants warm up before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
NBA player Anthony Edwards ahead of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S.Lesser)
Fireworks go off before the start of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Egypt team poses during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Argentina team pose before the start of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Players stand during a teams presentation before the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Argentina's Leandro Paredes (5) controls the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Egypt's Emam Ashour (8) controls the ball as Argentina's Nahuel Molina (26) tries to stop him during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah vies for the ball with Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico, right, during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Players check on Argentina's Enzo Fernandez (24) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Egypt's Karim Hafez (15) pulls Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Argentina's Nahuel Molina (26) is in action during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Argentina's Lionel Messi argues with referee Francois Letexier during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Egypt's Yasser Ibrahim (2) scores his side's opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Egypt's Yasser Ibrahim (2) celebrates after scoring during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Egypt's Yasser Ibrahim (2) celebrates after scoring the opening goal of his team during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Egypt's players celebrate after Egypt's Yasser Ibrahim (2) scored their first goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Egypt's Haissem Hassan (12) fouls Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico (3) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Argentina's Lionel Messi misses a penalty shoot during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) saves Argentina's Lionel Messi's penalty shot during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) reacts after saving a penalty kick by Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) reacts during the hydration break of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) takes a kickoff during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Egypt's Karim Hafez (15) goes for the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
A fan watches the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) controls the ball as Argentina goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli (12) and Argentina's Lisandro Martinez (6) try to stop him during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) prepares to kick a corner during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) saves during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir is checked by his teammate Egypt's Ramy Rabia after making a save during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) and Egypt's Marawan Attia (19) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Egypt's Ramy Rabia (5) is treated during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Argentina head coach Lionel Scaloni reacts during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) grabs the ball ahead of Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister (20) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Fans celebrate Egypt's goal on Argentina during a watch party for the World Cup knockout stage, in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Argentina's Lionel Messi controls the ball under the watch of Egypt's Mohamed Salah, left, during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Argentina's Lisandro Martinez controls the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Egypt's Mostafa Zico (11) jumps for the ball with Argentina's Cristian Romero (13) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Team captain Mohamed Salah is displayed on a screen as fans watch the World Cup knockout stage match between Egypt and Argentina, in Cairo, Egypt, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Amr Nabil)
Egypt's Haissem Hassan (12) and Argentina's Marcos Senesi {2) pf[ during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Palestinians watch a live broadcast of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in the West Bank city of Nablus, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed)
Egypt's Haissem Hassan (12) defends against Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico (3) during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Argentina's Nicolas Tagliafico reacts during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Egypt's Karim Hafez controls the ball during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Argentinian player take a break during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Egypt's Mostafa Zico (11) celebrates after scoring second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Egypt players celebrate after Egypt's Mostafa Zico scored his side's second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Egypt's Mostafa Zico celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
An Argentina fan wearing a mask of Argentina's Lionel Messi watches a live broadcast of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Argentina players react after Egypt's second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Argentina's Cristian Romero (13) scores their opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir (23) reacts after Argentina's Cristian Romero scored their opening goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Argentina's Enzo Fernandez (24) takes the ball after Argentine scored during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) scores during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) scores their second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates after scoring his side's second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with Lautaro Martinez after scoring their second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates with teammates after scoring their second goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Argentina's Lionel Messi battles for the ball with Egypt's Mohanad Lashin during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Butch Dill)
Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) talks with Referee Francois Letexier, of France, during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Argentina's Enzo Fernandez (24) scores his side's third goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Jacob Kupferman)
Argentina's Enzo Fernandez (24) scores their third goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Egypt's Mohanad Lashin (17) reacts to Argentina's third goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Referee Francois Letexier, of France, shows a yellow card during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Chris Carlson)
Egypt head coach Hossam Hassan argues with referee Francois Letexier, of France, during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Erik S. Lesser)
Referee Francois Letexier, of France, shows a red card to a staff member of the Egyptian team after Argentina scored their third goal during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Referee Francois Letexier, of France, gestures to Egypt players during the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Argentina's Lionel Messi (10) celebrates at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
Egypt's Omar Marmoush reacts at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Argentina's fans watch a live broadcast of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Rodrigo Abd)
Argentina players celebrate with the fans at the end of the World Cup round of 16 soccer match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Colin Hubbard)
Published At:
Tags