Argentina pulled off a dramatic and controversial comeback against Egypt in the 2026 FIFA World Cup, scoring twice late to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 2-1 victory and keep their knockout hopes alive. The match, played in front of a raucous crowd in Miami, looked destined for an Egyptian upset until a contentious penalty and a last-gasp winner sent the defending champions through.
Match Recap: A Tale of Two Halves
Egypt took a shock lead in the 31st minute when Mohamed Salah converted a counter-attack, slotting past Emiliano Martinez. Argentina dominated possession but found clear chances hard to come by until the dying minutes. In the 86th minute, a VAR review awarded Argentina a penalty after a challenge from Ahmed Hegazi on Lionel Messi was deemed a foul, a decision Egypt fiercely protested. Messi stepped up to convert his ninth consecutive World Cup goal, extending his all-time scoring streak.
Then, deep into stoppage time, a cross from Julian Alvarez was turned home by substitute Paulo Dybala, sparking wild celebrations and confirming Argentina's place in the quarter-finals. The goal survived an offside check, adding to Egyptian frustration.
Controversy and Reaction
The penalty decision overshadowed the match. Replays suggested minimal contact, and Egyptian players surrounded the referee. "I don't understand how that is a penalty," said Egypt coach Rui Vitoria. "We deserved better." Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the fortune: "Sometimes you need a bit of luck in this competition."
The Guardian's World Cup Daily video dissected the incident, with panellists Barry Glendenning and Barney Ronay debating whether VAR overstepped. Max Rushden called it "an all-time great World Cup comeback" while admitting the controversy would linger.
Messi’s Record-Breaking Streak
Messi’s penalty marked his ninth consecutive World Cup match with a goal, a feat unmatched in tournament history. The 39-year-old now has 16 career World Cup goals, trailing only Miroslav Klose. His hat-trick against Algeria earlier in the tournament had already cemented his legacy, but his composure under pressure here was vital.
Quick Facts
Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Attendance: 67,482
Argentina Goals: Lionel Messi (86’ pen), Paulo Dybala (90+3’)
Egypt Goal: Mohamed Salah (31’)
Key Incident: VAR-awarded penalty for a foul on Messi
Key Takeaways
- Argentina survived a major scare, relying on late drama and a contentious penalty to reach the quarter-finals.
- Lionel Messi extended his record scoring streak to nine consecutive World Cup games, proving decisive once again.
- Egypt pushed the defending champions to the limit, with Mohamed Salah’s goal and resolute defending nearly pulling off an upset.
- The match will be remembered as much for the VAR controversy as the thrilling finale, reigniting debates over technology in football.
- Argentina must improve their overall performance if they aim to repeat as champions, with tougher tests looming.