Defending champions Argentina produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup as Lionel Messi inspired a thrilling 3-2 victory over Egypt to book a place in the quarter-finals.
Argentina looked set for a stunning exit after Egypt surged into a 2-0 lead with just over 20 minutes remaining, leaving the South American giants on the brink of elimination.
However, Messi sparked a remarkable revival. The Argentine captain first created the goal that ignited the comeback before scoring a powerful equaliser to restore hope for the reigning champions.
With the match seemingly destined for extra time, Enzo Fernández struck a dramatic injury-time winner to complete an unforgettable turnaround and send Argentina into the last eight.
Messi’s leadership and brilliance once again proved decisive as Argentina escaped one of the biggest scares of their title defence, while Egypt’s impressive World Cup campaign ended in heartbreaking fashion after coming so close to a famous victory.
The dramatic encounter will be remembered as one of the standout matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with Argentina keeping their dream of retaining the trophy alive through another memorable Messi-inspired performance.
