Kinshasa, July 7th, 2026 (CPA). – Argentina has defeated Egypt 3-2 to secure their place in the quarter-finals on Tuesday at the Atlanta Stadium in the United States, in the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, jointly hosted from June 11th to July 19th by the United States, Mexico and Canada. In this round of 16 match, Egypt’s Pharaohs – with nothing to lose as they sought to join Morocco, until then the only African nation to have qualified for the quarter-finals, have quickly opened the scoring through Yasser Ibrahim (15th minute), leading 1–0 at half-time.
Lionel Messi’s missed penalty is by no means a bad omen
But before that, Lionel Messi, the Argentine captain, who has had the chance to equalise from a penalty, has seen his attempt saved by the Egyptian goalkeeper, allowing Egypt to hold on to their narrow lead. Lionel Messi had already missed a penalty during Argentina’s 2–0 victory over Austria on June 22nd, thereby becoming the only player to have missed the most penalties in World Cup history, bringing his personal tally to a total of four.
Egypt: a disallowed goal that led to another for the 2–0
Be that as it may, Egypt’s Pharaohs, transformed as never before and with nerves of steel, fought their way back into the game after the restart with a disallowed goal from their star player, Mohamed Salah (58th minute), following a VAR (Video Assistant Referee) review, due to a foul that occurred during the build-up to his goal, which was deemed controversial. It was merely a temporary setback. Indeed, moments later, the Egyptians – who were unfazed by it – have regained the control of the game and even took the lead, thanks to Mostafa Zico’s second goal (67th minute).
Messi and Argentina’s resurgence secured their eventual victory
It was merely a temporary setback. Indeed, moments later, the Egyptians – who were unfazed by it – have regained the control of the game and even took the lead, thanks to Mostafa Zico’s second goal (67th minute).
Messi and Argentina’s resurgence secured their eventual victory
Just when it looked all over for the Argentines, the Albiceleste has come back fighting with a goal from Cristian Romero (79th minute) to pull one back, before Lionel Messi (83rd minute) made amends with an unexpected equaliser that could have taken Argentina into extra time or even a penalty shoot-out, with a place in the quarter-finals still on the cards. That is when the unexpected happened for the Argentines, who have sealed the deal with a third and final goal from Enzo Fernández in the dying moments of second-half stoppage time. Against all odds, Egypt, having cracked under the pressure, has left the field open for the Argentines, who has crossed the Rubicon, somehow securing their place in the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of the round of 16 match between Switzerland and Colombia.
Messi, top scorer with 8 goals
Thanks to his second goal for Argentina – and despite his missed penalty – Argentina’s captain, Lionel Messi, has taken the lead in the scoring charts with 8 goals, one more than the duo of France’s Kylian Mbappe and Norway’s Erling Haaland, at the end of the round of 16.