Lionel Messi made history by scoring in a record sixth consecutive World Cup knockout match, leading Argentina to a remarkable late comeback victory over Egypt, triumphing 3-2 in Atlanta on Tuesday.
Despite trailing 2-0 as the match neared its end, Messi first assisted Cristian Romero in the 79th minute and then scored himself just four minutes later to level the match.
As the game appeared destined for extra time, Enzo Fernández netted a dramatic goal in the second minute of stoppage time, sealing a historic turnaround at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
This marked the first occasion in World Cup history that a team has won a knockout match in regulation after being two goals down with only 15 minutes to play.
“This is a phenomenal group that never gives up,” Fernández remarked. “Four years have gone by since Qatar, and we’re back to enjoy another World Cup — and we want to win it again. That is our goal.”
As Argentina seeks to become the first team to win consecutive World Cups since Brazil in 1958 and 1962, they will face Switzerland in the quarterfinals in Kansas City, Missouri, on Saturday.
“I’m incredibly emotional,” said Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni. “What a team of players we have, brother.”
Egypt had been on track for a stunning upset after Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 15th minute, followed by Mostafa Zico doubling their lead in the 67th minute. The record seven-time African champions had already made history by reaching the round of 16 for the first time and even saw a goal disallowed after a video review.
Messi, however, missed a chance to equalize in the first half when his penalty was saved by Egypt’s goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. He also struck the post while the score was still 1-0.
But, in true form, Messi delivered when it mattered most, scoring late in the match. He has now found the net in an unprecedented nine consecutive World Cup matches, tallying his 13th goal in that stretch.
“Honestly, I’m just thrilled that we made it through and the way we did it,” Messi reflected. “Things got tough when we were down 2-0, so it was incredibly exciting to turn it around again. We endured a lot, but that’s the essence of the World Cup: every match is fiercely contested.”
Messi’s eight goals in this tournament put him ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.
This goal also extended Messi’s lead over Mbappé in the World Cup career scoring rankings.
“Seeing him tear up was a touching moment too,” said teammate Lautaro Martínez. “I told him on the pitch to relish this moment because he deserves it, and we will give our all for ourselves — especially for him, as this might be his last World Cup, and he has done so much for us.”
For a large part of the match, it seemed like it could end in heartbreak for the 39-year-old Messi in what might be his final World Cup appearance.
Egypt stunned Argentina with Ibrahim’s goal in the 15th minute, connecting with a cross from Marwan Attia to head it into the corner.
Argentina was quickly awarded a chance to even the score when Haissem Hassan brought down Nicolás Tagliafico in the penalty area shortly after. Referee François Letexier awarded a penalty, and anticipation built as Messi stepped up to take the shot.
Shobeir, however, dived to his left, blocking Messi’s shot, marking the second missed penalty for him in the 2026 tournament after failing to score against Austria in the group stage.
Despite being the all-time leading World Cup scorer, this marked Messi’s record fourth missed penalty out of eight attempts throughout his World Cup career.
After his first-half post strike, Shobeir made another crucial save to deny Julián Álvarez from close range.
Egypt thought they had extended their lead when Zico scored, but celebrations were halted when a foul earlier in the play was confirmed upon video review, resulting in the goal being disallowed.
Zico finally got on the scoresheet in the 67th minute, finding the net from another swift counterattack, but it ultimately wasn’t enough for victory.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.