Argentina staged a breathtaking comeback scoring three times in less than 12 minutes to shatter Egyptian hearts and keep their title defence alive with a dramatic 3-2 victory in Atlanta on Tuesday, securing a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
Egypt made a dream start by racing into a two-goal lead. Lisandro Martinez was caught in no man’s land at the back post, initially stepping up for offside before hesitating and playing Ibrahim onside.
The Egyptia n forward rose above him to power home Attia’s superb right-wing cross for the opner in the 15th minute.
Earlier, Lionel Messi had squandered a penalty, giving Egypt an early psychological boost.
The Pharaohs thought they had extended their advantage early in the second half when Ziko found the net, but the celebrations were cut short after Attia was penalised for fouling Lisandro during the build-up.
Ziko eventually got the goal he deserved moments later. Salah, largely subdued before the break, ignited the move by carrying the ball nearly 40 yards before curling a delightful pass into Hassan’s path.
Sloppy defending from Molina and Fernandez allowed Hassan to reach the byline, where he cut the ball back for Ziko to rifle home a powerful strike beyond Emi Martinez.
With Egypt in complete control, the game turned upside down in astonishing fashion. Three goals arrived in the space of 13 minutes, transforming jubilation into heartbreak.
Argentina pulled one back in the 79th minute when Messi floated a superb diagonal cross for Cristian Romero, whose towering header slipped through Shobeir’s hands.
Ibrahim failed to track the defender, handing the Albiceleste a route back into the contest.
The momentum had completely shifted. Argentina sensed vulnerability and poured forward relentlessly.
Lautaro Martinez came close to equalising moments later, but his header drifted wide from another inviting Messi delivery.
The equaliser soon arrived. After a frantic scramble inside the penalty area, Messi reacted quickest to crash a left-footed half-volley in off the crossbar from close range.
It was his eighth goal of the tournament and his ninth in successive World Cup matches, redeeming himself after his earlier penalty miss.
Then came the decisive blow deep into stoppage time. Egypt’s attack broke down after Salah lost his footing inside the penalty area, while moments earlier Trezeguet had appealed in vain for a foul.
Argentina countered at lightning speed as Lautaro Martinez whipped in a teasing cross.
Ibrahim hesitated over whether to mark Fernandez or Gonzalez, allowing the Chelsea midfielder to rise unchallenged and guide a looping header beyond Shobeir to complete an extraordinary turnaround.
Egypt were left furious, convinced Alexis Mac Allister had pulled Trezeguet’s shirt moments before the counterattack that ultimately decided the match.
It was a cruel ending for Africa’s record champions. Their fairytale, which had promised a historic first-ever World Cup quarter-final appearance, disappeared in just 13 devastating minutes after they had looked firmly in command.
Their elimination leaves Morocco as Africa’s only remaining representative at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
For Argentina, however, the dream of retaining the world title remains alive. The defending champions march into the quarter-finals, where they will face either Switzerland or Colombia.
Read more about other World Cup teams in 2026 below:
Morocco national football team 2026
Argentina national football team 2026
Mexico national football team 2026
Spain national football team 2026
Brazil national football team 2026
France national football team 2026
Senegal national football team 2026