Argentina advanced to the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Egypt in the round of 16 at the Maracanã Stadium on Tuesday. Lionel Messi scored the winning goal in the 89th minute, securing a hard-fought win for the South American champions.
First Half: Egypt Takes Early Lead
Egypt stunned Argentina by taking the lead in the 11th minute through Mohamed Salah. The Liverpool forward capitalized on a defensive error from Nicolas Otamendi, slotting the ball past goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Argentina struggled to find their rhythm in the opening half, with Egypt's compact defense limiting their chances. Despite dominating possession, Argentina managed only two shots on target before the break.
Second Half: Argentina's Comeback
Argentina equalized in the 55th minute when Lautaro Martinez headed home a cross from Angel Di Maria. The goal lifted the spirits of the Argentine team, who began to press higher. Egypt nearly restored their lead in the 68th minute, but Martinez made a crucial save from a Mahmoud Trezeguet header. As the match entered its final stages, Argentina pushed for a winner.
Messi's Late Winner
The decisive moment came in the 89th minute when Messi collected a pass from Rodrigo De Paul on the edge of the box, dribbled past two defenders, and fired a low shot into the bottom corner. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Argentine fans. Egypt had one final chance in stoppage time, but Salah's free-kick went wide.
Post-Match Reactions
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his team's resilience. "We knew it would be tough, but the players showed character to come back. Messi once again proved why he is the best," Scaloni said. Egypt coach Rui Vitoria expressed disappointment but acknowledged Argentina's quality. "We gave everything, but small details decided the match. Argentina have a special player in Messi," Vitoria said.
Key Statistics
- Possession: Argentina 62%, Egypt 38%
- Shots on target: Argentina 6, Egypt 4
- Corners: Argentina 8, Egypt 3
- Fouls: Argentina 12, Egypt 15
Argentina will face the winner of the match between Brazil and Uruguay in the quarter-finals. The victory extends Argentina's unbeaten run to 12 matches in all competitions.
