What a comeback. Argentina were 2-0 down and staring at a shock exit before Lionel Messi inspired a stunning fightback, three goals in the final 13 minutes sinking a brave Egypt 3-2 to send the holders into the quarter-finals at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Here are our Argentina player ratings. For more, see our World Cup 2026 hub.
Key match stats
| Stat | Argentina | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| Shots | 19 | 5 |
| Shots on target | 7 | 2 |
Argentina player ratings vs Egypt
- GK — Emiliano Martínez: 5.5/10 — Beaten twice and shaky in possession, though Egypt barely threatened after the break.
- RB — Nahuel Molina: 6/10 — Steady down the right before being withdrawn.
- CB — Cristian Romero: 8/10 — Sparked the comeback with the goal on 79 minutes and passed at 94%.
- CB — Lisandro Martínez: 7/10 — Composed at the back once Argentina found their feet.
- LB — Nicolás Tagliafico: 6.5/10 — Solid on the left before making way.
- DM — Leandro Paredes: 7/10 — Controlled the tempo with 97% passing.
- CM — Rodrigo De Paul: 6.5/10 — Energetic in the engine room before being replaced.
- CM — Enzo Fernández: 8.5/10 — Drove the fightback and lashed home the 92nd-minute winner, with three dribbles.
- CM — Alexis Mac Allister: 7/10 — Tireless across 90 minutes with two efforts.
- FW — Julián Álvarez: 6.5/10 — Worked hard and had two shots without scoring.
- FW — Lionel Messi (C): 9/10 — The talisman. Levelled on 83 minutes, added an assist and had a game-high five shots and five dribbles.
Substitutes
- Lautaro Martínez: 7/10 — Off the bench to change the game, laying on an assist with three shots.
- Gonzalo Montiel: 6.5/10 — Provided an assist after coming on.
- Nico González: 6.5/10 — Fresh legs in the comeback.
Argentina vs Egypt: how it unfolded
Egypt stunned the holders, Yasser Ibrahim heading them in front on 15 minutes and Mostafa Mohamed making it 2-0 on 67. But Argentina roared back: Cristian Romero pulled one back on 79, Lionel Messi levelled on 83 and Enzo Fernández completed the turnaround with a 92nd-minute winner. Argentina out-shot Egypt 19-5 and, through Lionel Scaloni, march into the quarter-finals; Egypt, so nearly the story, are out.
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Argentina came from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the World Cup 2026 Round of 16.
Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández scored in the final 13 minutes. Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Mohamed had put Egypt 2-0 up.
Yes. Argentina fought back from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16 and reach the quarter-finals.
Lionel Messi inspired the comeback with the equaliser, an assist and a game-high five shots, while Enzo Fernández struck the winner.