Argentina’s title defence enters the Round of 16 with a stern test against Egypt in the Round of 16. Lionel Scaloni’s side needed extra time to edge past Cape Verde in the previous round, while Egypt held their nerve in a penalty shootout against Australia to reach this stage for the first time.
For Argentina, the focus will once again be on Lionel Messi, who continues to lead the defending champions in what is expected to be his final World Cup. Scaloni has warned against underestimating Egypt, pointing to the number of major teams already knocked out as proof that there are no easy matches left in the competition.
FIFA World Cup 2026 | Round of 16 | Argentina vs Egypt | HIGHLIGHTS
12.13 am: Live updates to this match have ended.
11.35 pm: Argentina off to the Round of 8!
Defending champions Argentina produced a stunning second-half comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 and seal their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals. Trailing 2-0 after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, Lionel Scaloni’s side roared back through Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi before Enzo Fernández headed home a stoppage-time winner. Messi also endured the disappointment of a first-half penalty miss, but Argentina recovered to keep their title defence alive after one of the most dramatic matches of the tournament.
11.32 pm: Yellow card for Egyptian coach
Tensions have flared across the pitch. The Egyptian coach has been booked. It’s a yellow card!
11.26 pm: IT’S ARGENTINA! IT’s 3-2
A fine cross from Lautaro lands right on Enzo Fernandez’s head, who sublimely puts it past Shoubir. IT’S 3-2! The roof of the stadium has blown off! WHAT A COMEBACK!
11.25 pm: Romero with the 1-on-1 block
Egypt went forward with
11.18 pm: MESSI with the equaliser
Messi with a textbook volley, firing it into the net. He drops his shoulder to make the perfect contact. The ball rifles inside the net. IT’S 2-2!
11.16 pm: Martinez comes close!
Messi with a wonderful solo run from the right flank. He passes it to Martinez. He heads it WIDE!
11.13 pm: Argentina pulls one back
A beautiful lofted pass from Messi inside the box was met by Romero. He calmly heads in to pull one back for the defending champions.
11.01 pm: GOAL for Egypt. This time they extend the lead. It’s 2-0
A run from Salah splits the Argentinian defence. Zico is there in the middle of the box, who finishes off in style.
10.52 pm: GOAL! Egypt scores. But VAR intervenes. It’s 1-0
Hassan drives the ball forward with a solo run before cutting through the ball to Zico, who fires it in. BUT VAR intervenes. A foul at the other end of the pitch during the buildup of the play.
10.30 pm: HALF-TIME!
Egypt head into the break with a 1-0 lead over defending champions Argentina, thanks to Ibrahim’s first-half header from Attia’s delivery. Argentina have dominated possession and searched for an equaliser, but Hossam Hassan’s side have stayed compact at the back to preserve their advantage heading into the second half, with a quarterfinal place now within touching distance.
10.22 pm: OFFSIDE!
Messi tries to sneak the ball through to Tagliafico, who was on the left side. He tries hard to get to the ball. But OFFSIDE.
10.10 pm: Heroic save from Shoubir again
Shoubir is having the best game of his life. A cross from Tagliafico flicked on by Alvarez. BUT, Shoubir with a diving SAVE AGAIN! What a match for the Egyptian. IMPACT!
9.59 pm: SHOUBIR SAVES AGAIN
Mac Allister with a header from the middle of the penalty box. The Egyptian goalkeeper parries it away.
9.51 pm: Messi misses from the penalty spot
Tagliafico was clipped inside the penalty box. The referee points to the spot. Lionel Messi takes the penalty but a wonderful SAVE from Shoubir. It’s 1-0. Messi misses again.
2 – Lionel Messi is the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties at a single edition (excluding shootouts).
Shock. pic.twitter.com/PThOcWlcat
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) July 7, 2026
9.45 pm: GOAL! Egypt takes early lead
GOAL! Egypt strike first as Yasser Ibrahim heads home from Attia’s delivery, stunning Argentina with an early breakthrough in the Round of 16. Early drama!
9.30 pm: It kicks off in a packed stadium
Argentina get the Round of 16 clash underway against Egypt, with a place in the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals up for grabs. The defending champions are expected to dominate possession, but Egypt have already shown they can frustrate fancied opponents on their historic run.
Locked in and ready. 🔒#FIFAWorldCup
— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 7, 2026