Lionel Messi's 1 Goal And 1 Assist Helps Argentina Complete Stunning Comeback And Win 3-2 To Qualify For Quarterfinals

Published 7 July 2026 · sports

Lionel Messi's 1 Goal And 1 Assist Helps Argentina Complete Stunning Comeback And Qualify For Quarterfinals Published By, Last Updated: July 08, 2026, 00:00 IST

Lionel Messi's 1 Goal And 1 Assist Helps Argentina Complete Stunning Comeback And Qualify For Quarterfinals Published By, Last Updated: July 08, 2026, 00:00 IST Argentina come from 0-2 down to secure 3-2 win over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match at Atlanta Stadium. Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match. (Picture Credit: AP) Lionel Messi scored one goal and provided one assist to Cristian Romero on Tuesday (July 7) to help Argentina come from 0-2 down and secure a 3-2 win over Egypt in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match at Atlanta Stadium. They stunning comeback from 2-0 down by Argentina avoided a stunning exit at the hands of Egypt and prolong Lionel Messi’s World Cup career. The holders looked down and out when goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko, either side of Messi having a penalty saved, put the Pharaohs in sight of a historic victory in Atlanta. However, Cristian Romero’s header sparked the comeback as Argentina struck three times in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time. Messi smashed home the equaliser to score for a ninth consecutive World Cup game and retake the lead for the Golden Boot with eight this tournament.

Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround with a superb header two minutes into stoppage time. At the end, Messi shed tears of joy as he embraced his teammates. Egypt were left furious after a number of controversial calls went against them, including a disallowed goal early in the second half, and a member of their coaching staff was red-carded in the aftermath of the winning goal. But despite a second almighty scare against African opposition, Argentina will face either Colombia or Switzerland in the last eight on Saturday. Messi missed penalty, again! Marwan Attia’s deep cross to the back post was powered home by Yasser in the 15th minute to give Egypt a shocking 1-0 lead. Argentina had the chance to level five minutes later when Tagliafico was wiped out by Haissem Hassan inside the box. However, there was another chapter to Messi’s misery from the penalty spot at World Cups. The eight-time Ballon d’Or’s strike was tentative and Mostafa Shobeir flew to his left to save, meaning Messi has now missed four of his eight non-shootout penalties at World Cups. He also became the first player to miss two in a single tournament, having also failed to hit the target against Austria in the group stages. The penalty save was just the start of Shobeir’s inspired afternoon.

Alexis Mac Allster’s powerful header from point-blank range was next to be parried by the Al Ahly stopper. Shobeir then produced one of the saves of the tournament to prevent Alvarez’s shot finding the bottom corner. Egypt thought they had doubled their lead on the hour mark after a brilliant counter-attack. Mohamed Salah played in Mostafa Ziko, who dinked the ball perfectly over the onrushing Emi Martinez. However, Egyptian celebrations were cut short by a hugely controversial VAR intervention for a foul on Lisandro Martinez, just outside the Egypt box, at the start of the build-up to the goal. The decision finally fired up the majority Argentine crowd, but they were silenced once more moments later by another blistering Egyptian break. Salah again led the charge before feeding Hassan and his cross was swept in by Zico. Argentina looked like a beaten side with Messi among those who head was bowed during the second-half drinks break. Yet Romero’s header — that Shoubir just failed to keep out — sparked a remarkable revival as the defending champions hauled themselves off the canvas. Moments later a dazzling run by Messi teed up Lautaro Martinez, who headed just wide and Messi was to have his moment of redemption seven minutes from time.