Lionel Messi and Argentina survived a huge scare from Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday, coming from two goals down to win a pulsating World Cup Round of 16 tie 3-2 and book their place in the quarterfinals.

Egypt stunned the defending champions early on when Yasser Ibrahim put the Pharaohs ahead in the 15th minute, marking the first time Argentina had trailed at any point in the 2026 tournament. Messi was handed a golden chance to level matters from the penalty spot in the 21st minute, but Egyptian goalkeeper Moustafa Shoubir produced a superb save to deny him and keep Argentina rattled. Egypt doubled their advantage soon after, and for long stretches it looked as though Mohamed Salah’s side were on course for one of the shocks of the tournament, having already needed penalties to see off Australia in the previous round.

The match also carried a VAR flashpoint that briefly threatened to overshadow the football itself, coming just days after the controversy surrounding the Folarin Balogun red card reversal. Officials disallowed what appeared to be a second Egyptian goal after ruling a foul had occurred in the build-up, a decision that drew sharp criticism from broadcasters watching the game, though it did little to change the eventual outcome.

Argentina’s response was built on the kind of resolve that has defined their title defense. Cristian Romero halved the deficit with a header, setting up a grandstand finish. Messi then produced a moment of pure theatre in the 83rd minute, meeting the ball with a first-time volley that cannoned in off the crossbar to make it 2-2 and extend his remarkable run of scoring in eight consecutive World Cup matches, a streak stretching back to Argentina’s triumphant 2022 campaign. His strike also took him to eight goals for the tournament, keeping him level at the top of the race for the Golden Boot alongside Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland.

With the match delicately poised, Enzo Fernández rose highest to head in the winner and send the Argentine bench into wild celebration, sealing a dramatic 3-2 victory that keeps Messi’s quest for a second straight World Cup title alive. Egypt, who had captured hearts with their fighting spirit throughout the tournament, were left to rue missed chances and a VAR call that went against them at a crucial moment. Before kickoff, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan had struck a defiant tone about facing the champions, insisting his side were no underdogs and pointing to Egypt’s deep historical legacy as a source of pride.

In the end, though, Argentina’s pedigree and Messi’s late brilliance proved decisive as they move on to face the winner of Switzerland’s clash with Colombia.

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