The Round of 16 match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Argentina vs Egypt, Egypt produced a stunning performance before the defending champions ultimately snatched victory with three late goals, as La Selección claimed another 3-2 win.
Key Match Stats of Argentina vs Egypt (FIFA World Cup 2026: Round of 16)
Match Result: Argentina 3 – 2 Egypt
Possession: Argentina 57% – 34% Egypt (9% contested possession)
Shots (On Target): Argentina 19 (7) – 5 (2) Egypt
Corners Won: Argentina 6 – 1 Egypt
Free Kicks: Argentina 10 – 16 Egypt
Yellow Cards: Argentina 0 – 4 Egypt
- Lionel Messi became the first player to miss two penalties in a single edition of the FIFA World Cup (excluding the penalty shootout). Previously, when Argentina faced Austria in the group stage, Messi missed a penalty.
- With the equaliser goal, Lionel Messi extended his record of most World Cup goals to 21.
- Lionel Messi is leading the FIFA World Cup 2026 Golden Boot race with eight goals.
- Argentina won a match for the first time after going down to a 2-0 deficit.
- Argentina became the first team to win a World Cup match in regulation time (90 minutes) from a 2-0 down till 75th minute or later.
FIFA World Cup 2026 (Round of 16): Argentina vs Egypt Official Match Stats
Important Facts of Argentina vs Egypt (FIFA World Cup 2026: Round of 16)
- Egypt took a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute, while Yasser Ibrahim scored from a header. Marawan Attia produced a brilliant ball to the box, while Yasser jumped near the goal to score brilliantly.
- Argentina got a penalty after Haissem Hassan fouled Nicolás Tagliafico inside the penalty box. In the 21st minute, Lionel Messi took the penalty, but the opponent goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir correctly jumped to his left to save the shot and deny the goal.
- In the 58th minute, Mostafa Zico successfully netted from an impressive counterattack. However, an earlier foul on Lisandro Martinez by Marawan Attia in the Argentine final third denied that goal, as the referee confirmed that after checking the monitor.
- Mostafa Zico scored Egypt’s second goal in the 67th minute. It was another counterattack, as Haissem Hassan set up the goal with a brilliant cut-back, and Zico perfectly finished that with a powerful shot.
- Cristiano Romero scored Argentina’s first goal in the 79th minute. Lionel Messi delivered a quality ball, and Romero’s header finally broke the deadlock for the defending champions, as Mostafa Shoubir failed to stop it despite managing to get his hands on it.
- Lionel Messi fired the ball inside the box to equalise the scoreline in the 83rd minute. Argentina were controlling the ball inside the box, while the Egyptian defence failed to clear, and Messi’s powerful volley set the perfect tone for the defending champions.
- In the second minute of the second half stoppage time, Enzo Fernández sealed the winning goal for Argentina. Lautaro Martinez took time before delivering a great cross from the right flank, which found Fernández just outside the six-yard box, as the header found the net comfortably without any challenge.
Argentina at the FIFA World Cup: Stage-wise Exit History & Finishing Record
The Match Status: Argentina vs Egypt (FIFA World Cup 2026: Round of 16)
Argentina had the majority of ball control, while Egypt showed some strong defence. Meanwhile, Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir highly impressed in the first half by saving some tough challenges, including Messi’s penalty. The Pharaohs strongly challenged with their perfect counterattacks, but lost the momentum since Argentina scored their first goal.
What does the Argentina vs Egypt (FIFA World Cup 2026: Round of 16) match mean?
With their dramatic late comeback win, Argentina have advanced to the Quarterfinals of the FIFA World Cup 2026, where they will face the winners between Switzerland and Colombia.