The teams of Argentina and Egypt met at the Atlanta Stadium for the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup. Goals by Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko gave away the Egyptians. But goals from Cuti Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández signed the Albiceleste's comeback. Argentina remains in the race in the World Cup.

Argentina starting eleven: Emiliano Martínez, Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Enzo Fernández, Alexis Mac Allister, Lionel Messi and Julián Álvarez.

Once initial de egipto: Mohamed El-Shenawy, Mohamed Hany, Ahmed Hegazi, Mohamed Abdelmonem, Mohamed Hamdy, Marwan Attia, Mohamed Elneny, Trezeguet, Mohamed Salah, Omar Marmoush y Mostafa Mohamed.

In the first 10 minutes of the game it was a match of a lot of study and without approximations. The Albiceleste team cut off plays with fouls on several occasions. However, in the 14th minute, a good cross from Marwan Ateya was headed in by Yasser Ibrahim. It was a great goal that came from a corner cleared by the South American defense. In the second action they were unable to repel the attack.

Only four minutes of the match passed before Argentina shook off the goal against. A good filtered pass for Nicolás Tagliafico led to an infringement inside the area. The main judge whistled the penalty in favor of Argentina.

Lionel Messi was in charge of collecting the maximum penalty. Once again Messi could not convert from the eleven steps. Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir rushed to his left and stopped the Inter Miami player's charge.

The Argentina team tilted the field on Mostafa Shobeir's goal. The 26-year-old goalkeeper accumulated up to 3 saving saves in 40 minutes of the first half. Shobeir was one of the clear figures of the game in the first half. Lionel Scaloni's team generated multiple dangerous shots, but the equalizer was long overdue.

The penalty missed by Lionel Messi is the fourth in World Cups. Lionel Messi has taken eight penalties in the World Cups and has missed half of them. It is a striking fact for the former FC Barcelona player. In the 2026 World Cup he had already missed a shot from eleven steps against the Austrian team.

Second part in Atlanta

At minute 59, one of the most controversial plays of the game occurred. Argentina played in the Egypt area in the second half, but a recovery near the rival area began a video game offensive action. A great individual play by Haissem Hassan from his own half allowed a good clearance for Mohamed Salah. The historic Liverpool footballer waited for the right moment to assist Mostafa Ziko who was able to beat Emiliano Martínez.

However, this goal was disallowed due to a previous foul on Lisandro Martínez. However, this move generates many conflicting opinions. The contact, although it was almost imperceptible, existed. But this infraction had no direct impact on Hassan's progress. Argentina did not stop badly, they had multiple opportunities to cut the ball, but they were not effective.

But in the 67th minute Egypt would have its revenge. In a recovery in their own half after an Argentine cross, the African team once again took advantage of their speed on the counterattack. In a play that seemed to be clouded, Haissem Hassan enabled Mostafa Ziko who entered the area anticipating the center and managed to increase Egypt's advantage

At minute 79 the Argentine discount arrived. A cross from Lionel Messi from the right side set up Cuti Romero. The Argentine defender, as if he were a battering ram, headed over Mostafa Shobeir's goal. The fifth shot on goal was the one that could beat the African goalkeeper.

In the 83rd minute came Lionel Messi's equalizer. Messi again crossed into the area and, after a couple of clearances inside the area, Gonzalo Montiel enabled the Albiceleste captain inside the area. Messi first and with his right foot he shook the Egyptian goal.

At 90 2 the comeback was achieved. In the same style as Egypt, the Albiceleste used their counterattack weapons. A deep pass to Lautaro Martínez left a good one on one inside the area. Like Cuti Romero, Enzo Fernández dressed as a striker and headed in a great cross from the Inter Milan footballer. When it seemed that Argentina was returning to Buenos Aires, the current world champion achieved an epic comeback.

As happened with Cape Verde, Argentina suffered more than necessary to overcome this round. Despite the controversies, Argentina managed to overcome a 0-2 deficit. The Albiceleste awaits a rival in the duel between Switzerland and Colombia to face the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup. Argentina continues to defend its title.