Argentina 3-2 Egypt Result: Messi Penalty Miss, Three Goals in 13 Minutes, Enzo Winner
Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 at Atlanta on July 7, 2026. Egypt led 2-0, Messi missed a penalty, then Romero, Messi and Enzo scored in 13 minutes. Full minute-by-minute recap.
Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 in the wildest Round of 16 game of the 2026 World Cup. Egypt led 2-0. Lionel Messi missed a penalty. Then Argentina scored three times in 13 minutes - Cristian Romero, Messi, Enzo Fernandez - and the defending champions survived in Atlanta.
Egypt - in the last 16 for the first time in 92 years - were minutes from history. Argentina showed why they are champions.
Argentina vs Egypt final score
Argentina 3 - Egypt 2
| Minute | What happened | Score |
|---|---|---|
| 15’ | Yasser Ibrahim header (assist Marwan Ateya) | 0-1 |
| 21’ | Lionel Messi penalty saved (Shobeir) | 0-1 |
| 58’ | Egypt goal ruled out (foul on Lisandro Martinez) | 0-1 |
| HT | Half-time - shock on the board | 0-1 |
| 67’ | Mostafa Ziko goal - counter (assist Hassan) | 0-2 |
| 79’ | Cristian Romero header (assist Messi) | 1-2 |
| 83’ | Lionel Messi goal (assist Montiel) | 2-2 |
| 90+2’ | Enzo Fernandez header (assist Lautaro Martinez) | 3-2 |
| FT | Argentina through to quarterfinals | 3-2 |
Stadium: Atlanta Stadium, Atlanta, Georgia. Referee: Francois Letexier.
Match timeline - minute by minute
First half - Egypt shock the world champions
Minute 15: Egypt scored from a set piece. Marwan Ateya delivered. Yasser Ibrahim powered a header home. Argentina 0-1 Egypt. The Pharaohs - in their first World Cup knockout match since 1934 - led the defending champions.
Minute 21: Argentina got a lifeline. Nicolas Tagliafico was fouled by Haissem Hassan in the box. Penalty. Lionel Messi stepped up - his second missed penalty at this World Cup. Mostafa Shobeir dived right and saved. Egypt still 1-0 up. Atlanta held its breath.
Minute 58: Egypt thought they had a second. Mostafa Ziko scored - but VAR ruled it out for a foul on Lisandro Martinez in the build-up. Still 0-1 at that point.
Half-time: Argentina 0-1 Egypt. Messi missed. Salah and Egypt defended. Argentina had 64% possession but no goals.
Second half - Ziko strikes, then Argentina explode
Minute 67: Egypt broke on the counter. Haissem Hassan set up Mostafa Ziko, who chipped Emiliano Martinez. Argentina 0-2 Egypt. Twenty minutes left. Egypt were on the brink of the greatest upset in World Cup history.
Minute 66: Lionel Scaloni sent on Lautaro Martinez and Nicolas Gonzalez - all-in.
Minute 79: Argentina woke up. Messi crossed. Cristian Romero rose and headed in. Argentina 1-2 Egypt. Game on.
Minute 83: Four minutes later - Messi atoned. Gonzalo Montiel (sub at 73’) set him up. Messi finished. Argentina 2-2 Egypt. The captain delivered when it mattered.
Minute 90+2: Winner. Lautaro Martinez crossed. Enzo Fernandez headed in at the back post. Argentina 3-2 Egypt. Stoppage time. Bedlam in Atlanta.
Full time: Egypt pushed but could not equalize. Argentina survive. Three goals in 13 minutes (79’, 83’, 90+2’).
Who scored?
| Player | Team | Minute | How |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yasser Ibrahim | Egypt | 15’ | Header |
| Mostafa Ziko | Egypt | 67’ | Chip on counter |
| Cristian Romero | Argentina | 79’ | Header |
| Lionel Messi | Argentina | 83’ | Open play |
| Enzo Fernandez | Argentina | 90+2’ | Header |
The key numbers
| Stat | Argentina | Egypt |
|---|---|---|
| Goals | 3 | 2 |
| Ball possession | 64% | 36% |
| Expected goals (xG) | 2.90 | 0.97 |
| Shots | 19 | 5 |
| Shots on target | 7 | 2 |
Argentina dominated on paper. Egypt led for 74 minutes of normal time. Then the champions flipped it.
Why this match is historic
- Egypt led 2-0 against the defending champions - and were 4 minutes from elimination before Messi equalized.
- Messi missed his second penalty at World Cup 2026 - first player to miss two at one tournament.
- Argentina scored three in 13 minutes - one of the great World Cup comebacks.
- Enzo Fernandez - header in 90+2 - sent Egypt home.
- Egypt’s first Round of 16 since 1934 - ended one step from a miracle.
FAQ
What was Argentina vs Egypt final score? Argentina 3-2 Egypt. Romero (79’), Messi (83’), Enzo (90+2’).
Did Messi miss a penalty? Yes. 21’ - Shobeir saved. His second missed pen at this World Cup.
How did Egypt score? Ibrahim header (15’), Ziko counter (67’).
Is Argentina still in the World Cup? Yes. Defending champions reach the quarterfinals.
Quick summary
- 3-2 Argentina - epic comeback
- Egypt 2-0 - then collapsed in 13 minutes
- Messi pen miss, then goal
- Enzo winner in stoppage time
- Atlanta - night of drama
Egypt dreamed. Argentina woke up - and won.