◤FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico◢ Argentina controversially defeated Egypt with a 3-2 late comeback victory to reach the quarterfinals

Argentina controversially defeated Egypt with a 3-2 late comeback victory in Tuesday's Round of 16s match at the Atlanta Stadium, securing their place in the quarterfinals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup in United States, Canada and Mexico.

In the first half, Ibrahim scored with a header, Messi's penalty was saved, and his subsequent free kick hit the post. In the second half, Ziko's goal was controversially disallowed by the VAR assistant referee, but he later scored. Later, Romero scored a header. Despite being offside, the goal was ruled valid  without referee intervention, and Messi scored with a follow-up shot. In the final moments, Enzo scored with a header . Ultimately, Argentina secured a controversial 3-2 victory over Egypt. In the next round, La Albiceleste will face Switzerland in Kansas City.

First Half

In the 10th minute, Rodrigo de Paul passes horizontally from the byline at the right side of the box. Enzo Fernández quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his left foot from a very close distance in the box, but his shot went just slightly wide of the bottom right corner of the post. However, the linesman immediately raised his flag to indicate that the former was caught offside, as such the attack was invalid.

5 minutes later, Marawan Attia crossed into the box from the right wing, where Yasser Ibrahim rose high and scored with a header in the box, Egypt broke the deadlock first to take a surprise 0-1 lead!

In the 19th minute, Nicolás Tagliafico was brought down in the box by Haissem Hassan, and the referee immediately awarded Argentina a penalty. Leo Messi took the penalty by striking the ball with his left foot, but his attempt was saved by Mostafa Shoubeir! Argentina missed a golden opportunity to quickly equalize against Egypt!

9 minutes later, De Paul crossed into the box from the right wing, where Alexis Mac Allister rose high and attempted with a header in the box, however his effort was saved by Shoubeir.

In the 31st minute, Argentina won a free kick opportunity. Messi took the shot from outside the box by taking a left-footed direct shot that unfortunately struck the top left corner of the post and bounced off! Argentina missed another golden opportunity to equalize against Egypt!

8 minutes later, Tagliafico passes horizontally from the left side of the box. Julián Álvarez quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed with his left foot from the center of the box, but his shot was saved by Shoubeir.

At halftime, Egypt temporarily enter the break leading Argentina by 0-1.

Second Half

Both teams switched sides as the match continued. In the 58th minute, Egypt launched a deadly quick counter-attack. Mohamed Salah played a low diagonal through ball from the attacking third. Mostafa Ziko quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed the ball into the bottom right corner of the empty net with his left foot against the outrushing Emiliano Martínez with his left foot! However, the VAR assistant referee instantly intervened!

After VAR review, although the footage clearly showed that Lisandro Martínez had dived before being brought down, the refereeing team insisted that Egypt had committed a foul, thus controversially upholding the decision to disallow Ziko's goal!

8 minutes later, Egypt launched another deadly quick counter-attack. Hassan passes horizontally from the byline at the right side of the box. Ziko quickly followed up and upon receiving the pass, volleyed the ball into the lower center of the net from the center of the box, extending Egypt's lead to 0-2!

In the 79th minute, Messi crossed into the box from the right wing, where Cristian Romero scored with a header in the box. Argentina pulled a goal back at 1-2!

However, it's worth mentioning that slow-motion replays clearly showed Romero was offside, but the refereeing panel refused to acknowledge it and still allowed the goal to stand, making this the second major controversy of the match!

4 minutes later, Gonzalo Montiel passed the ball back from the right side of the box. Upon receiving the pass, Messi volleyed the ball with a left-foot follow-up shot. His shot was parried by Shoubeir, hit the crossbar, and deflected into the top left corner of the net, leveling the score at 2-2 for Argentina!

In the second minute of injury time, Lautaro Martínez crossed into the box from the right wing, where Enzo rose high and scored with a header in the box, putting Argentina ahead at 3-2 and securing the victory!

When the final whislte is blown, Argentina controversially defeated Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic late comeback.

Image source: Internet / FIFA official website