Argentinien
ARG
Ägypten
EGY
Final score
3:2
0:1
,
3:1
-
Yasser Ibrahim
-
Mostafa Mohamed Zaki Abdelraouf
NEWS
Facing Elimination! Incredible Argentina Comeback Against Egypt
The "Pharaohs" were long on course for an upset, but were deprived of the fruits of their labor within minutes. Messi was in the spotlight multiple times.
Argentina wobbles, but it doesn't fall!
In the Round of 16, Egypt came close to causing the biggest upset of the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2026, putting Lionel Messi and Co. on the ropes, but ultimately had to concede a 2:3 defeat after an incredible comeback by the defending champions within 13 minutes.
Egypt took the lead after 15 minutes: A short corner kick led to a cross to Ibrahim, who prevailed against his markers.
Shortly after, a big chance to equalize arose when Tagliafico was brought down by Hassan in the penalty area. Messi stepped up but was denied by goalkeeper Shobeir (21') - thus also setting a negative record>>>.
The Egyptian goalkeeper also shone with a save from a MacAllister header (28') and even more impressively with a top save against Alvarez (39'); in between, a Messi free-kick hit the post (31'). Egypt's lead held until halftime.
Two Counter-Attacks Make Argentina Look Exposed
Anyone waiting for Argentina to come out with renewed fury after the break and take control of the game waited in vain.
Although the "Albiceleste" had more possession, they were lucky at first when a strong counter-attack only led to Ziko's disallowed 2:0 goal: there was a foul in the ball winning phase, so VAR intervened (60').
A few minutes later, the net rattled again, once more after a counter-attack. Salah set up Hassan, and Ziko was once again ready in the center (67').
But then...
Facing elimination, Argentina finally stepped up a gear.
A perfectly placed cross from Messi found Romero, who restored hopes with the goal to reduce the deficit and initiated a storming assault on the Egyptian goal (79').
And that bore fruit just five minutes later, "naturally" finished by Messi. He himself initiated the move, Martinez kept the ball in play, and via Montiel, the ball found its way back to the superstar, who shot directly - the distance too short for Shobeir to prevent the 2:2 (83').
The "Pharaohs" couldn't even make it to extra time: After a counter-attack, Lautaro Martinez nonchalantly curled a dream cross into the penalty area while standing, where Fernandez provided the decisive goal (90'+3).
Their next opponent will be the winner of Switzerland vs. Colombia (from 10:00 PM in the LIVE ticker>>>).
