One of the greatest upsets of all time was made by Argentina, “returning” from the… hell of elimination, as they defeated Egypt 3-2 in the “16” phase of the 2026 World Cup, although until the 79th minute they were behind in the score with 2-0! At the “Mercedes-Benz Stadium” in Atlanta, the world champions found themselves on the… ropes for a while, as Egypt “hit” mercilessly in transition, but the Argentines, with a sustained counterattack in the finale and with Messi putting his “stamp” on another game, “turned” the score and prevailed 3-2, qualifying for the quarter-finals, in perhaps the best game so far in the competition. Argentina will now face the winner of the Switzerland-Colombia match in the “8” round.
The Egyptians achieved absolute surprise by taking the lead in the 15th minute when, from Atia’s cross from the right, Yasser Ibrahim, who had stayed high for the corner kick, headed it past Lisandro Martinez and made it 1-0 for the “Pharaohs”.
Argentina had the opportunity to “respond” immediately with the penalty that Tagliafico won from Hassan, but Lionel Messi was unable to “beat” Sumbir from the penalty spot, who saved it in his corner, with the Argentine superstar missing his second penalty in the competition.
The “albiceleste” continued to press for the goal, but Sumbir was invincible, amazingly repelling McAllister’s close-range header in the 28th minute and Alvarez’s shot from the penalty area in the 39th minute, while in the 32nd minute Messi had a direct free kick hit the post.
In the second half, Egypt “struck” again in the 58th minute with a goal by Zico on a counterattack by the “Pharaohs”, but the goal was disallowed following a VAR indication and an on-field review by referee Letesier for a foul by Hani on Tagliafico, in a phase that sparked a “storm” of protests from the Egyptian side.
Egypt, however, not only failed to score, but managed to find the net again… again with Zico and this time the goal… counted. In another exemplary counterattack, the Egyptians found the Argentine defense… bare, with Hassan “serving” a ready-made goal to Zico for 2-0.
Argentina “reacted” in the finale and reduced the deficit in the 79th minute with Romero’s header from Messi’s cross, reducing it to 1-2, while in the 82nd minute, Lautaro Martinez’s slalom header sent the ball just wide.
Messi’s persistence, class, and quality, however, “spoke” a minute later, when he made it 2-2 with a stunning shot from Montiel’s “laying” amid wild celebrations.
Messi’s team, however, didn’t stop there, but looked for a third goal and found it in the 90’+2′ with Enzo Fernandez’s header from Lautaro Martinez’s amazing cross, completely turning the tables…
Referee : Francois Letesier (France)
Yellow cards : 90’+3′ Soumbir, 90’+4′ Fati, 90’+8′ Atia
The lineups of the two teams:
ARGENTINA (Lionel Scaloni): Emiliano Martinez, Molina (73′ Montiel), Romero (90’_5′ Otamendi), Lissanto Martinez, Tagliafico (66′ Nico Gonzalez), Fernandes, McAllister, De Paul (66′ Lautaro Martinez), Paredes, Alvarez (90’+5′ Medina), Messi.
EGYPT (Hosham Hassan): Soumir, Hafez, Rabia, Hani, Ibrahim Yasser, Ashour (46′ l.tr. Fati), Zico (80′ Marmous), Lassin (90’+6′ Zizou), Attiyah, Salah, Hassan (74′ Trezeguet).