FIFA World Cup 2026 – In a thrilling Round of 16 match, Argentina overcame a two-goal deficit in the final 13 minutes to defeat Egypt 3-2 and advance to the quarterfinals. The match, held in Kolkata, saw Argentina score three goals within a short span, with Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernandez finding the net to complete an extraordinary comeback. The game remained goalless for Argentina until the 80th minute, with Egypt leading 2-0 thanks to goals from Ibrahim and Zico.

Despite a penalty miss by Messi earlier in the match, Argentina fought back fiercely. Christian Romero opened the scoring at the 79th minute with a header from a Messi cross. Just minutes later, Messi himself scored, marking his eighth goal of the tournament and continuing his record of scoring in every game Argentina has played.

Enzo Fernandez sealed the comeback with a headed goal after exploiting a defensive gap left by Egypt’s attacking players. Egypt’s claims of a foul during the third goal went unreviewed by the referee, leading to protests and a red card shown to an Egyptian support staff member. Egypt's goalkeeper also received a yellow card for dissent.

Egypt had taken an early lead when Ibrahim scored in the 15th minute. Despite Argentina's increased pressure in the second half, Egypt extended their lead to 2-0 due to a defensive error before Argentina's late surge. The match’s referee decisions sparked some controversy, but Argentina’s resilience was clear.

Lionel Messi, visibly emotional after the match, was consoled by his teammates. "At 2-0 down with only 15 minutes left, hope seemed lost," said a team spokesperson. "But this team never gives up.

This comeback shows why Messi is considered one of the greatest of all time." With this victory, Argentina moves closer to potentially winning the World Cup for the third time in a row, standing just three wins away from lifting the trophy again. Their next opponent will be the winner of the Switzerland vs. Colombia match.

The comeback not only highlights Argentina’s fighting spirit but also raises questions about refereeing standards in crucial matches. As Argentina advances, the football world watches closely to see if Messi and his team can secure another World Cup title.