Thank you for joining us for this Argentina 3-2 Egypt Live Blog from the Round of 16 at the 2026 FIFA World Cup! Be sure to keep following the World Cup and the best of sports coverage right here on beIN SPORTS

FULL-TIME!

Argentina complete a historic World Cup comeback, as they had never before recovered from a two-goal deficit in the tournament's history.

Egypt paid the price for defensive lapses and fatigue, while Messi and the Albiceleste never stopped believing and produced a memorable turnaround.

With the victory, Argentina advance to the quarterfinals and await their next opponent between Colombia and Switzerland. Egypt return home proud after achieving their best-ever World Cup performance and coming within touching distance of reaching the last eight.

Final Score: Argentina 3-2 Egypt

90'+4' EGYPT PROTESTS THE CALL

Saafan Elsaghir is sent off after protesting the referee's decision. Hamdy Fathy and goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir are both shown yellow cards.

Score: Argentina 3-2 Egypt

90'+2' GOAL FOR ARGENTINA! COMEBACK COMPLETE!

The reigning world champions have turned the match around! Enzo Fernández puts Argentina ahead with the decisive goal, assisted by Lautaro Martínez.

Egypt now desperately searches for a historic equalizer as the Pharaohs fight to keep their World Cup dream alive.

Score: Argentina 3-2 Egypt

83' GOAL FOR ARGENTINA! LIONEL MESSI LEVELS THE MATCH!

The ball falls loose inside Egypt's box, and La Pulga takes full advantage of the defensive confusion.

Messi starts the move with a cross from the right, Lautaro Martínez keeps it alive with a spectacular scissor-touch at the far post, and Gonzalo Montiel battles to recover possession before laying it back to the Argentine star. Messi then fires a low volley into the net to make it 2-2 and score his eighth goal of the tournament.

Score: Argentina 2-2 Egypt

79' GOAL FOR ARGENTINA!

Lionel Messi provides the assist from the right side, and Cristian "Cuti" Romero rises above the defense to head home Argentina's first goal of the night. A set-piece play reminiscent of the late strike that punished Cape Verde in extra time.

Score: Argentina 1-2 Egypt

67' GOAL FOR EGYPT AND ZICO GETS HIS REVENGE!

Mostafa Zico finally gets his goal after a brilliant counterattack led by Haissem Hassan. Just like on the disallowed strike earlier in the match, the midfielder provides the assist — this time with a cross from the right flank — and the Pyramids FC forward makes no mistake, putting the Pharaohs 2-0 ahead.

Despite Argentina throwing everything forward after bringing on Lautaro Martínez and Nico González for Rodrigo De Paul and Nicolás Tagliafico in the 66th minute, it is Egypt who continue to make the difference in Atlanta.

Score: Argentina 0-2 Egypt

57' GOAL DISALLOWED FOR EGYPT!

A brilliant move from Haissem Hassan sets up Mostafa Zico, who finds the back of the net with a stunning finish to seemingly double Egypt's lead.

However, after a VAR review, the goal is ruled out due to a possible foul on Lisandro Martínez in the build-up, with the referee calling a controversial foul in the previous play.

Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt

THE SECOND HALF IS UNDERWAY!

Lionel Scaloni's side returns to the pitch looking to turn the match around in Atlanta. Can Argentina complete the comeback?

Egypt make a substitution: Hamdy Fathy comes on to replace Emam Ashour.

Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt

TOTAL MADNESS!

This is how Egyptian fans around the world celebrated Yasser Ibrahim's goal against Argentina.

Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt

HALF-TIME!

Argentina, led by Lionel Messi, have pushed for the equalizer, but Mostafa Shobeir and the Egyptian defense have stood firm through the opening 45 minutes.

Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt

38' ANOTHER SAVE FROM MOSTAFA SHOBEIR!

Julián Álvarez fires a left-footed shot, but Egypt's goalkeeper comes up with another brilliant stop. Alexis Mac Allister delivers a cross from the left, but the Atlético de Madrid striker cannot turn it into a goal.

Shobeir goes down after the play, having made a tremendous effort to keep Argentina off the scoresheet.

Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt

31' POST AND ANOTHER SAVE FROM SHOBEIR!

Lionel Messi steps up for a free kick from the edge of the Egyptian box and curls the ball onto the right post of Mostafa Shobeir's goal. The Pharaohs' goalkeeper comes up big once again to deny Argentina's equalizer.

Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt

27' MOSTAFA SHOBEIR WITH A STUNNING SAVE FOR EGYPT!

The Pharaohs' goalkeeper is proving to be the star of the match, making a spectacular stop with a perfectly timed dive to deny Alexis Mac Allister's header following Rodrigo De Paul's cross from the right flank.

Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt

21' SHOBEIR SAVES MESSI'S PENALTY!

Mostafa Shobeir turns into Egypt's hero once again, denying Lionel Messi from the spot with a save down the middle. La Pulga misses his second penalty of this World Cup.

Shobeir had already saved a penalty earlier in the tournament, stopping Iran's Mehdi Taremi from the spot.

Argentina are left empty-handed after missing the chance to level the match. There were initial thoughts that the penalty could be retaken due to a possible early movement by the goalkeeper, but VAR confirmed there was no infringement. Egypt maintains its lead and stays on course for a historic upset against the reigning world champions.

Saafan Elsaghir, a member of Egypt's coaching staff, is shown a yellow card by the referee.

Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt

19' PENALTY TO ARGENTINA!

Argentina has been awarded a penalty after Haissem Hassan brings down Nicolás Tagliafico inside the Egyptian box. The referee points straight to the spot, and Lionel Messi steps up to take it.

Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt

15' GOAL FOR EGYPT!

Yasser Ibrahim opens the scoring with a towering header after beating Lisandro Martínez to Marawan Attia's pinpoint cross from the right. The Pharaohs have stunned the reigning world champions.

Score: Argentina 0-1 Egypt

13' A tightly contested battle

Egypt is going toe-to-toe with Argentina, as both teams are locked in a fierce midfield battle. Argentina created its first real chance in the ninth minute, but Rodrigo De Paul was flagged offside.

Score: Argentina 0-0 Egypt

Kickoff!

We're underway at Atlanta Stadium!

The atmosphere is electric as Lionel Messi's Argentina takes on Mohamed Salah's Egypt for a place in the 2026 FIFA World Cup quarterfinals.

Score: Argentina 0-0 Egypt

Argentina's Starting XI

Emiliano Martínez starts between the posts.

The back four consists of Nicolás Tagliafico, Lisandro Martínez, Cristian Romero, and Nahuel Molina.

In midfield, Leandro Paredes, Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, and Enzo Fernández get the nod.

Up front, Julián Álvarez partners Lionel Messi in attack.

Egypt's Starting XI

Mostafa Shobier gets the nod in goal.

The back four features Yasser Ibrahim, Mohamed Hany, Ramy Rabia, and Karim Hafez.

In midfield, Emam Ashour, Mostafa Zico, Mohanad Lashin, and Marawan Attia are set to start.

Leading the attack, Mohamed Salah will partner Haissem Hassan up front.

The Teams Arrive

Here's how both teams arrived at the Atlanta Falcons' home stadium ahead of this highly anticipated showdown.

PARTY ATMOSPHERE IN ATLANTA

The atmosphere is electric at Atlanta Stadium as fans build up to this highly anticipated showdown, which also features a marquee battle between Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah.

Welcome to the live blog for the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt!

🏟️ When and Where

Argentina and Egypt will face off on Tuesday, July 7, in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match will be played at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, United States.

Kickoff is scheduled for 12:00 PM ET / 9:00 AM PT and will be officiated by French referee François Letexier. This match will decide who will play against Switzerland or Colombia in que Quarterfinals.

📺 How and Where to Watch Argentina vs Egypt

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🇦🇷 Argentina's Preview

Argentina booked its place in the Round of 16 after surviving one of the most dramatic matches of the previous round. Lionel Scaloni's side needed extra time to defeat a resilient Cape Verde team 3-2 in a thrilling contest that pushed the reigning world champions to their limits.

Despite the scare, La Albiceleste remains one of the tournament's strongest contenders. With an experienced squad, world-class talent, and the confidence of the defending champions, Argentina continues to be widely expected to reach at least the semifinals.

Now, the South Americans know they will need an even stronger performance if they hope to keep their title defense alive.

🇪🇬 Egypt's Preview

Egypt earned its place in the Round of 16 after pulling off one of the biggest surprises of the previous round by eliminating Australia in a dramatic penalty shootout. The Pharaohs showed resilience, discipline, and composure to secure a memorable victory.

Hossam Hassan's side has emerged as one of the tournament's biggest dark horses. Egypt has proven capable of competing with anyone and has become an extremely difficult opponent thanks to its defensive organization and dangerous counterattacks.

Against Argentina, the Pharaohs will once again attempt to defy expectations and continue their remarkable World Cup run.

⭐ Players to Watch

🇦🇷 Lionel Messi

Lionel Messi once again headlines Argentina's attack. The legendary captain has already scored seven goals in the tournament, continuing a spectacular World Cup campaign while leading La Albiceleste both on and off the field.

Lionel Scaloni continues to place his full trust in Messi, whose creativity, leadership, and finishing ability make him Argentina's greatest weapon in the knockout rounds.

🇪🇬 Mohamed Salah

Mohamed Salah remains Egypt's leader, symbol, and biggest attacking threat. The Liverpool star possesses the quality and experience to change the course of a match with a single moment of brilliance.

If Egypt hopes to challenge Argentina and dream of reaching the quarterfinals, much of that ambition will depend on Salah delivering one of his best performances of the tournament.

🎯 Final Analysis

Argentina enters the match as the overwhelming favorite according to most sportsbooks. The reigning world champions boast superior depth, experience, and the tournament's leading scorer in Lionel Messi, making them one of the strongest contenders to retain the title.

However, the previous round reminded everyone that football is rarely decided on paper. Cape Verde pushed Argentina into extra time, and Egypt has already shown it can eliminate favored opponents. The Pharaohs could prove to be the unexpected obstacle that stands between Argentina and another step toward a second consecutive World Cup title.

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