Race for the Golden Boot 1.Messi – 8 goals 2.Mbappe – 7 goals 3.Haaland – 7 goals 4.Kane – 6 goals
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates scoring his side’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia, US, on July 7, 2026
Shobeir makes his markOutside of shootouts, Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir is one of only three goalkeepers this century to save two penalties in a World Cup tournament, along with Wojciech Szczesny in 2022 and Brad Friedel in 2002.
Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir saves a penalty missed by Argentina’s Lionel Messi [Omar Aziz/Reuters]
Argentina lean on experienceArgentina’s starting XI against Egypt had an average age of 30 years and 173 days – only once previously have they named an older starting XI for a World Cup match (30 years 189 days vs Nigeria in 2018).
Read all about itIf you want to relive the action from Atlanta – and why would you not? – you can read our match report here.
Scaloni’s brief post-match interview“I can’t look up, I’m sorry. I’m really emotional right now,” said Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni.“What a group of players, man. That’s it, I’ve got to go.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni reacts
A comeback for the agesArgentina have won after conceding the opening goal in the World Cup for the first time since 24th June 2006 against Mexico; they haven’t won any of the next four in which they conceded first.They have never previously come from two goals down to win in the World Cup.
Spare a thought for EgyptThis would have been a heartbreaking defeat even without the sense of injustice Egypt clearly feel, as they wanted a penalty at the other end seconds before Argentina completed the turnaround on the break.They led through a wonderful header from Ibrahim and despite coming under pressure battled gamely and looked dangerous on the break, with Zico seeing one of the all-time World Cup goals ruled out by VAR before he did make it 2-0 after a counter that was almost as devastating.Egypt were always going to come under pressure, but the frustration will be that Shobeir, who played brilliantly, got a good hand to both the first goal and the equaliser before the controversial stoppage-time winner.That looks likely to be it for Mohamed Salah on the biggest stage.
Messi in floods of tearsLionel Messi is as emotional as we can remember seeing him.He crossed for the first goal of the comeback and then scored the equaliser.He’s seen and done it all in the game, but it’s doubtful he’s ever been involved in a game like that, with these stakes.
Full time: Argentina 3-2 EgyptThat is why Argentina are World Champions.That is why, for many, Lionel Messi is the greatest of all time.An extraordinary game settled by the 3,000th goal in the history of the World Cup.From 2-0 down after 79 minutes, to the quarterfinals of the 2026 World Cup.Breathless, extraordinary.Football is the greatest game, and this is its greatest stage.
A tearful Lionel Messi celebrates Argentina’s win after the match
One of the great gamesEgypt continue to protest on the sidelines, and it’s a controversial end to one of the great games of this World Cup, or possibly any other.Egypt were 2-0 up with 11 minutes to go, and are on their way to defeat in normal time.90+9 mins: Argentina 3-2 Egypt
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