Messi, Argentina stage 3-goal rally versus Egypt, advance in World Cup

Lionel Messi helped Argentina avoid a major upset, scoring one of three second-half goals in a 3-2 Round of 16 victory over Egypt on Tuesday. The defending champions were trailing 2-0 for nearly 79 minutes in Atlanta before mounting the comeback. Messi assisted defender Christian Romero for the first goal and then struck an equalizer with a half-volley less than five minutes later, after being denied earlier when Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir saved his penalty attempt. Enzo Fernandez scored the winner in the 92nd minute, and Argentina outshot Egypt 19-5 while holding 64% possession to 36%. The result sent Argentina into a quarterfinal against Colombia or Switzerland on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. It also marked Messi as the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup knockout matches, with his eighth goal of the 2026 tournament raising his career total to 21.