Argentina pulled off a stunning late comeback to defeat Egypt 3-2 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 match. Lionel Messi, visibly emotional at the final whistle, played a pivotal role in the victory, providing the cross for Cristian Romero's equalizer and then orchestrating the winning goal.
Match Overview
The match, held on July 7, 2026, saw Egypt take a commanding 2-0 lead in the first half through goals from Mohamed Salah and Mostafa Mohamed. Argentina struggled to find their rhythm initially, but a goal from Lautaro Martinez just before halftime gave them hope.
In the second half, Argentina dominated possession but found Egypt's defense resolute. With time running out, Messi delivered a pinpoint cross that Romero headed home to make it 2-2 in the 85th minute. Just three minutes later, Messi's through ball found Julian Alvarez, who slotted past the goalkeeper to complete the comeback.
Key Performances
Messi was named Man of the Match for his two assists and overall influence. According to post-match statistics, Argentina had 68% possession and 15 shots on goal compared to Egypt's 6. Egypt's goalkeeper Mohamed El Shenawy made several crucial saves to keep his team in the game.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his team's resilience: "This team never gives up. Messi showed once again why he is the best in the world." Egypt coach Rui Vitoria lamented the late collapse: "We played well for 80 minutes, but Argentina's quality showed in the end."
Tournament Implications
The victory puts Argentina top of Group C with 6 points, while Egypt remains on 3 points. Argentina's next match is against Saudi Arabia, while Egypt faces Poland in a must-win game. The win extends Argentina's unbeaten run to 12 matches across all competitions.
