Messi and Fernandez Seal Dramatic Comeback for Argentina

Argentina produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the FIFA World Cup 2026, overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16 at Atlanta Stadium.

Yasser Ibrahim’s header in the 15th minute gave Egypt a shock lead, and goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir kept the Pharaohs ahead with a string of superb saves, including a penalty stop from Lionel Messi.

Shoubir also denied Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez, frustrating Argentina’s attack.

Egypt thought they had doubled their advantage just before the hour when Haissem Hassan’s run down the right set up Mohamed Salah, who in turn assisted Mostafa Zizo.

The goal was ruled out for a foul in the build-up, but Zizo eventually made it 2-0 in the 67th minute, finishing off a rapid counter-attack involving Salah and Hassan.

With Egypt on the brink of a famous upset, Argentina mounted a late surge.

Christian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute, before Messi equalised with a brilliant finish in the 84th.

Enzo Fernandez then completed the turnaround in stoppage time, scoring the 3,000th goal in World Cup history to send Argentina into the quarter-finals.

Messi, named Player of the Match, celebrated passionately with teammates after Fernandez’s winner, underlining Argentina’s resilience.

The South American champions will now face the winner of Switzerland versus Colombia in the next round.

The match also produced a notable milestone: Shoubir became only the fourth goalkeeper to save two penalties in a single World Cup, joining Jan Tomaszewski, Brad Friedel, and Wojciech Szczęsny.