Egypt vs Argentina: Messi and Enzo Fernandez Rally to Beat Egypt 3-2 in World Cup 2026 Round of 16
Argentina complete dramatic 3-2 comeback against Egypt in World Cup 2026 Round of 16 as Messi and Enzo Fernandez overturn Yasser Ibrahim’s early lead.
Egypt stun early, Yasser Ibrahim heads home
The Round of 16 tie between Egypt and Argentina began explosively on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, with Egypt taking an early lead in the match billed as Egypt vs Argentina. Defender Yasser Ibrahim rose to meet a Mervan Atiya cross and headed the opener in the 15th minute, sending the Egyptian fans into raptures.
Argentina immediately pressed for a response, dominating possession but finding a resilient Egyptian defence and goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier in outstanding form. By half-time the scoreline read 1-0 to Egypt despite Argentina controlling around 60 percent of the ball.
Shobier denies Messi from the spot and keeps Egypt in front
Mostafa Shobier emerged as the defining figure of the first half when he saved a penalty from Lionel Messi in the 20th minute. The goalkeeper then produced further key interventions at minutes 28 and 39 to preserve Egypt’s lead and frustrate Argentina’s attempts to level.
Those saves proved decisive as the interval approached, with Argentina unable to convert pressure into clear-cut chances. The Egyptian defence held a compact shape while the visitors searched for openings through Messi and their front line.
Second-half swings and a VAR intervention
Egypt began the second half with a tactical change as Imam Ashour made way for Hamdi Fathy, a substitution intended to shore up midfield control. Argentina responded with increased intensity and created a sustained spell of pressure in the opening 15 minutes after the restart.
The match turned on a VAR review in the 59th minute when a goal by Egypt’s Mustafa Abdel Raouf, known as Ziko, was disallowed following the replay. Ziko was booked two minutes later, but he made amends by slotting a legitimate finish in the 67th minute to restore a two-goal cushion for Egypt.
Argentina respond: Romero and Messi pull the game back
Argentina’s technical changes began to alter the dynamic, with Lautaro MartÃnez and Nicolás González among those introduced to shift momentum. Cristian Romero headed Argentina’s first goal in the 79th minute, signaling a renewed belief among the South American side.
Two minutes after Romero’s strike, Egypt replaced Ziko with Omar Marmoush in a bid to refresh their attack, but Argentina kept pushing. Lionel Messi equalised in the 83rd minute, finishing a sustained move to make it 2-2 and setting up a tense finale.
Late drama and Enzo Fernandez’s stoppage-time winner
With the game poised at 2-2, both sides traded chances as stoppage time neared, and Shobier again produced a crucial save in the 90th minute. However, Argentina found the breakthrough in the second minute of added time when Enzo Fernandez met a final attack to score the decisive goal.
A flurry of late substitutions followed as both teams chased final adjustments, but Argentina held on to complete a 3-2 comeback. The South American side’s resilience and clinical finishing in the closing minutes overturned Egypt’s early advantage.
Tactics, key moments and implications for both teams
Egypt’s plan to absorb pressure and strike on the counter paid early dividends, and their goalkeeper’s performance was a standout factor that kept them competitive against heavy possession. The VAR decision that disallowed an Egypt goal in the 59th minute proved pivotal and shifted momentum back to Argentina.
Argentina’s bench depth and adaptability were influential in the second half, with substitutions contributing to the late goals and overall attacking impetus. The result sends Argentina through to the World Cup quarter-finals while ending Egypt’s tournament run, marking a dramatic conclusion to the knockout fixture.
The match will be remembered for its swings in fortune: an early Egyptian lead, a series of key saves, VAR controversy, and a stoppage-time winner that defined the Egypt vs Argentina narrative at the 2026 World Cup.
