By our reporter 7.7.2026
Argentina came back from two goals down to rescue themselves from a possible shocking defeat to the Pharaohs of Egypt and ran away with a 3-2 win to reach the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Yasser Ibrahim had put Egypt ahead in the 15th minute with a delightful header, and a few minutes later goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir denied Lionel Messi’s penalty that left Argentina fans at the Atlanta Stadium stunned.
Mostafa Ziko added the second goal for Egypt from a swift counterattack in the 67th minute and Argentina frightened but confidently began to pour forward in search of goals; Cristian Romero gave them hope when he pulled one back in the 79th minute. Messi made up for his miss with goal in the 83rd minute before he set up Enzo Fernandez for the third in added time.
Egypt certainly felt they were unfairly treated in the match. They had a goal ruled out by VAR. They were even more angered by match officials who denied them a penalty for a foul on Salah shortly before Fernandez’s winner. Alvarez appeared to make contact with Salah’s right boot, sending the former Liverpool player to ground – but referee Francois Letexier waved play on, and Fernandez scored at the other end moments later.
Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan bare his mind: “I will say what’s on my mind regardless of the consequences. I believe this was a rigged match, and the whole world saw it.”
“And I want to say one more thing: if they want Argentina to win so badly, why call everyone to come and participate?”
Argentina will now await the Switzerland-Colombia winners in the quarterfinals.
With his goals Messi who couldn’t hold back his joy now leads the chase for the golden ball with eight goals. Kylian Mbappe has seven goals to his credit while Erling Haaland also has seven.