For 70 minutes, Argentina looked closer to elimination than history. Egypt led 2-0, Lionel Messi had already seen a 21st-minute penalty saved, and the defending champions were losing control of a match they were expected to manage. Then Argentina found the response that has defined its title defense. Cristian Romero started the comeback, Messi dragged the game level, and Enzo Fernández headed in the stoppage-time winner to complete a 3-2 victory. The result carried Argentina into the quarterfinals and turned a chaotic night into another record-setting chapter for Messi. He moved ahead in the Golden Boot race, broke Diego Maradona’s recorded World Cup assist mark, and became the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup knockout matches. Argentina now face Switzerland, who ended a 72-year wait for a place in the last eight.
Egypt’s Blueprint, Argentina’s Panic
Egypt did not play like a side waiting for the inevitable. They pressed with purpose, broke quickly, and made Argentina defend long spells without comfort.
The first major swing came in the 21st minute, when Messi’s penalty was saved. That miss changed the rhythm. Argentina still created chances, but Egypt gained belief. Yasser Ibrahim’s goal gave them the lead, and Mostafa Ziko later made it 2-0.
There was also controversy. Argentina benefited from a video review that ruled out another Egypt goal. Egypt later felt Mohamed Salah had a penalty case when he went down in the box during a tense finish. Those decisions will remain part of the argument around the match.
Still, Egypt’s bigger frustration will be that they had Argentina wounded and could not close the game.
Romero Opens the Door Before Messi Walks Through It
The shift began late, with Argentina pushing more bodies forward and Egypt forced deeper toward its own penalty area. Romero’s goal gave the champions a route back into the contest. It also changed the mood inside the match. Suddenly, Egypt were no longer protecting a historic win. They were trying to survive Argentina’s surge.
Messi then delivered the moment that turned survival into belief. After the missed penalty, the pressure on him was obvious. His equalizer did not erase the earlier mistake, but it changed how the night would be remembered. Messi later summed up the escape with blunt clarity: “We suffered a lot again, but this is the World Cup. Every game is going like this. This group never gives up and keeps trying until the end.”
Fernández finished the comeback in stoppage time with a header into the corner. It was Argentina’s 10th winning goal scored in the 90th minute at this tournament, the most in a single World Cup edition. For a team that keeps flirting with danger, late-match execution has become a real weapon.
Messi’s Records Survive the Mess
Messi’s night was anything but straightforward. That is what made the final numbers so striking.
He became the first player to score in six straight World Cup knockout matches, with four of those goals coming in 2022 and two more in 2026. He also became one of only six players to score in his nation’s first five matches at a single World Cup, joining Just Fontaine, Jairzinho, Gerd Müller, Rivaldo, and James Rodríguez.
His goal against Egypt was his eighth of the tournament. That moved him past Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland, who both have seven, in the Golden Boot race. It also tied Guillermo Stábile’s Argentina record for most goals in a single World Cup, set in 1930.
The assist mattered just as much. Messi now has nine World Cup assists since records began in 1966, moving him beyond Maradona. He also created six chances against Egypt, a reminder that his influence was not limited to the equalizer.
A penalty miss cannot be ignored. He has now failed to convert two penalties at this tournament, excluding shootouts. Yet Argentina did not need a flawless Messi. They needed a decisive one.
Argentina’s Run Is Becoming More Fragile
Argentina have won their first five matches at this World Cup for only the second time. They also extended their unbeaten World Cup streak to 11 matches, their longest run in the tournament.
Their scoring record is just as notable. Argentina have scored multiple goals in 11 straight World Cup matches, tying Uruguay’s historic run from 1930 to 1954 for the longest such streak in tournament history.
Those numbers point to dominance, but the knockout performances tell a more complicated story. Argentina needed extra time against Cape Verde. They then needed three late goals to beat Egypt after trailing by two with 15 minutes left.
That makes the quarterfinal less comfortable than the record sheet suggests. Argentina are still alive because they have elite finishers, deep belief, and Messi. They are also giving opponents enough hope to make every match volatile.
Switzerland Bring a Very Different Test
Switzerland reached the quarterfinals by beating Colombia 4-3 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes. That victory secured their first World Cup quarterfinal appearance since 1954, ending a 72-year drought.
Their path is built on control rather than chaos. Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel has been one of the tournament’s best, while Granit Xhaka gives them experience and structure in midfield. Switzerland may not carry Argentina’s attacking weight, but they will not panic easily.
That is the danger for Argentina. Egypt created disorder and nearly turned it into a historic upset. Switzerland will try to remove the disorder. They will slow the game, protect central spaces, and force Argentina to be sharper earlier.
Messi has already rescued Argentina from one disappearing act. The records will dominate the reaction, and rightly so. But the lesson from Egypt is clear. Argentina remain dangerous, but they are no longer untouchable.
READ MORE: How Messi And Argentina Escaped Egypt’s Grasp Amid Bitter World Cup VAR Debate
FAQs
Q1. How did Argentina beat Egypt in the World Cup?
Argentina came back from 2-0 down to win 3-2. Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernández scored late goals.
Q2. Did Messi miss a penalty against Egypt?
Yes. Messi had a 21st-minute penalty saved, but he later scored Argentina’s equalizer.
Q3. What records did Messi break against Egypt?
Messi scored in six straight World Cup knockout matches and moved past Diego Maradona’s recorded World Cup assist mark.
Q4. Who scored Argentina’s winning goal against Egypt?
Enzo Fernández scored the winner in stoppage time. His header completed Argentina’s comeback.
Q5. Who do Argentina play next?
Argentina play Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Switzerland beat Colombia on penalties after a 0-0 draw.
