The 2026 World Cup Round of 16 knockout matches continued today (July 8) at 12:00 am, with defending champions Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, taking on Egypt, captained by "Pharaoh" Mohamed Salah. The winner would secure a place in the quarter-finals. In the end, Argentina came from two goals down to score three in a row, defeating Egypt 3-2 to advance.
In the 15th minute, Egypt's Yasser Ibrahim rose high inside the box to meet a lofted cross and headed home, giving Egypt an early 1-0 lead over Argentina.
In the 18th minute, Argentina's Tagliafico made a run down the right, drove into the box after receiving a pass, and was brought down by an Egyptian defender, winning a penalty for Argentina.
In the 20th minute, Messi stepped up to take the spot-kick, but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved it.
After missing the chance to level, Argentina intensified their pressing in the final third, capitalizing on Egyptian defensive errors to launch attacks and create several threatening chances, all of which were brilliantly saved by Shobeir. The first half ended 0-1, with Argentina registering 7 shots (3 on target) without scoring, while Egypt managed 2 shots (1 on target) and scored once.
In the 58th minute, Egypt intercepted the ball in their own half and launched a counter-attack, driving all the way into Argentina's box before slotting home to make it 2-0. However, after a VAR review, the goal was disallowed as an Egyptian player had committed a foul during the tackle.
In the 67th minute, Egypt countered again from the back. Salah carried the ball forward, and Mostafa Ziko received a cross inside the box to tap in, extending Egypt's lead to 2-0.
In the 79th minute, Cristian Romero rose to meet a high cross inside the box and headed home, pulling one back for Argentina. Egypt 2-1 Argentina.
In the 84th minute, Messi seized an opportunity in the box and fired through a crowd of players to level the score at 2-2.
In the 92nd minute, Argentina won the ball back from Salah in their own half. Substitute Lautaro Martínez drove forward and laid it off to Enzo Fernández, who was unmarked in the box. Fernández headed it in, completing Argentina's comeback at 3-2.
Argentina eventually secured a 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt with Enzo Fernández's stoppage-time winner, advancing to the quarter-finals.
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