Argentina 3-2 Egypt – Argentina progress to the quarter-finals in the round of 16.

The FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16 brought Argentina and Egypt to Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, for a decisive knockout encounter. With both nations aware that a single mistake could end their tournament, the atmosphere was charged from the first whistle.

How it unfolded

The opening salvo came in the 15th minute when Egypt took the lead. Yasser Ibrahim rose above the defence to meet a Marwan Attia corner, heading the ball from the centre of the box into the bottom right corner for a 1-0 advantage.

For more than half an hour the hosts searched for a response, but Egypt doubled their lead in the 67th minute. A swift counter-attack saw Haissem Hassan deliver a precise pass to Mostafa Zico, whose right-footed strike from the centre of the box found the centre of the net, putting the visitors 2-0 up.

Argentina’s comeback began in the 79th minute. Lionel Messi, operating from the wing, sent in a low cross that found centre-back Cristian Romero. Romero headed the ball from the centre of the box into the top right corner, reducing the deficit to 2-1.

Just four minutes later, the momentum shifted further in Argentina’s favour. Gonzalo Montiel supplied a well-timed ball to Messi, who turned sharply and fired a left-footed shot from the centre of the box into the high centre of the goal, levelling the match at 2-2.

In stoppage time, the decisive moment arrived. Lautaro Martínez surged forward and crossed from a fast break, meeting Enzo Fernández in the box. Fernández rose to head the ball into the bottom right corner in the 90'+2' minute, giving Argentina a 3-2 lead that would hold to the final whistle.

The closing stages saw four Egyptian players booked. Mostafa Shoubir received a yellow card in the 90'+3' minute, followed by Hamdy Fathy a minute later. Marwan Attia was cautioned for a bad foul in the 90'+8' minute, and Haissem Hassan was shown a yellow in the 90'+12' minute. No further disciplinary action was taken.

Standout performers

  • Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring with a decisive header in the 15th minute.
  • Marwan Attia provided the corner that set up Ibrahim’s early goal.
  • Mostafa Zico added Egypt’s second goal, finishing a fast-break move in the 67th minute.
  • Haissem Hassan supplied the assist for Zico’s strike.
  • Cristian Romero sparked Argentina’s revival, heading Messi’s cross past the keeper in the 79th minute.
  • Lionel Messi was involved in two goals: his cross led to Romero’s header and his own strike in the 83rd minute secured the equaliser.
  • Gonzalo Montiel delivered the assist for Messi’s 83rd-minute goal.
  • Enzo Fernández completed the comeback with a stoppage-time header, the match-winning goal.
  • Lautaro Martínez supplied the decisive cross for Fernández’s winner.

Match facts

  • Final score: Argentina 3-2 Egypt
  • Scorers:
    • Yasser Ibrahim (15') – assist: Marwan Attia
    • Mostafa Zico (67') – assist: Haissem Hassan
    • Cristian Romero (79') – assist: Lionel Messi
    • Lionel Messi (83') – assist: Gonzalo Montiel
    • Enzo Fernández (90'+2') – assist: Lautaro Martínez
  • Bookings:
    • Mostafa Shoubir (90'+3') – yellow card
    • Hamdy Fathy (90'+4') – yellow card
    • Marwan Attia (90'+8') – yellow card (bad foul)
    • Haissem Hassan (90'+12') – yellow card
  • Venue: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia

What it means

The round of 16 knockout tie saw Argentina advance to the next stage of the FIFA World Cup 2026, while Egypt’s campaign ended with a 3-2 defeat. Their World Cup journey is now over.