Messi Leads Argentina Past Egypt in 2026 World Cup

Thrilling Round of 16 Showdown

Argentina’s comeback against Egypt showcased a dramatic Round of 16 clash. Early pressure from Egypt saw Yasser Ibrahim strike in the 15th minute, giving the African side a surprise lead. Argentina responded with relentless urgency, eventually turning the deficit into a historic victory.

Messi Breaks His Own Record

The Argentine captain opened his account, raising his World Cup tally to 21 goals. That mark pushes Messi two clear of rivals Kylian Mbappé, France and Real Madrid, in the all‑time rankings. The strike adds another feather to his cap as the tournament’s all‑time leading scorer.

Key Moments: Penalty Miss and VAR Intervention

Messi’s spot‑kick effort was saved by Mostafa Shobeir, denying a quick equaliser. Shortly after, a contentious VAR review wiped out an Egypt goal following a foul less than 30 seconds earlier. These decisions kept the match tightly balanced until Messi’s late equalizer.

Enzo Fernández Seals the Upset

The Chelsea midfielder broke the deadlock with a winning strike late in regulation, sending Argentina into the quarter‑finals. His goal came after Messi’s dramatic equaliser that took Argentina to 2‑2 just before stoppage time. The finish sparked wild celebrations, with teammates hoisting Messi on their shoulders.

Looking Ahead: Argentina Faces England

Messi and Co. will meet England for the ninth time in World Cup history, a rematch that promises further intrigue. Other top seeds such as Brazil and Portugal have already been knocked out, while Spain and England remain in the mix. The 2026 tournament continues to deliver unexpected drama after every match.