Argentina 3-2 Egypt: Messi leads historic World Cup comeback from 2-0 down

The Comeback: Argentina 3–2 Egypt

Defending champions Argentina pulled off a stunning Round of 16 comeback on July 7 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, rallying from 0–2 down to win 3–2 against Egypt in the dying minutes . Egypt took a shock lead through Yasser Ibrahim's header in the 15th minute, and Mostafa Ziko doubled the lead after halftime after Messi had a penalty saved by Egyptian keeper Mostafa Shobeir . Trailing 2–0, Messi inspired the turnaround — he assisted Cristian Romero's header in the 79th minute to make it 2–1, scored the equalizer himself in the 83rd minute, and Enzo Fernández completed the comeback with a stoppage-time winner, advancing Argentina to the quarterfinals .

Per OptaStats, no team in World Cup history had rallied from a two-goal deficit in the 75th minute or later to secure a win in regulation — a first-of-its-kind comeback .

Records Messi Extended

• Most career World Cup goals (all time) — Messi scored his 21st career World Cup goal against Egypt, extending his own record as the top scorer in World Cup history (men's or women's) .
• Scored in 9 consecutive World Cup matches — dating back to Argentina's 2022 title run, Messi has now scored in nine successive World Cup appearances, a streak not seen since the 1930s .
• 8 goals in a single World Cup tournament (so far) — equalling a record for the most goals by an Argentine player in one edition, a mark that had stood since 1930 .

Messi also missed his fourth penalty at a World Cup, extending his own record for most missed spot kicks in tournament history, but more than made up for it with his late equalizer .

Updated Golden Boot Standings (after Round of 16)

As of July 7–8, 2026, the leading scorers are tightly bunched. Multiple sources report the following leaders:

Player	Country	Goals	Notes
Lionel Messi	Argentina	7–8	Scored vs. Egypt; tied for lead or slight edge
Kylian Mbappé	France	7	Level with Messi after France's R16 match
Erling Haaland	Norway	7	Also tied at the top
Harry Kane	England	6	Close behind

Note: Exact totals shift daily as knockout games conclude. The Independent reported Messi, Mbappé, and Haaland all on 7 goals after the R16, with Mbappé ahead on the assists tiebreaker .

Argentina's Quarterfinal Prospects

• Opponent: Colombia — ranked No. 11 in the world, with a 2W-1D-0L record so far .
• Date & Venue: July 11 in Kansas City .
• Tournament odds (as of July 3–7): Argentina is the +450 third choice to win the World Cup, behind France (+180 favorites) and Spain, per Vegas Insider and FanDuel . CBS Sports noted Argentina was -800 to advance past Egypt, and their odds shortened after the comeback .
• Path to the final: If Argentina beats Colombia, they would face the winner of the Brazil–Germany quarterfinal in the semifinals .

Argentina have survived two consecutive knockout scares (Cape Verde 3–2 in extra time, then Egypt 3–2), but Messi's form — now on a historic scoring streak — keeps them among the top contenders. Argentina's odds to win the title shortened to +390 after the comeback, per Fox Sports .