LIVE UPDATES: Argentina 3-2 Egypt World Cup 2026 – Follow all the action, goals and celebrations

Argentina pull it back late to secure their spot in the last eight! 👏#FIFAWorldCup

— FIFA World Cup (@FIFAWorldCup) July 7, 2026

90+2′ GOAL! Argentina 3-2 Egypt: Argentina complete a stunning turnaround in the closing stages. Enzo Fernandez arrives inside the penalty area to meet Lautaro Martinez’s dangerous cross and produces a brilliant close-range finish into the bottom right corner, sending the defending champions ahead for the first time in the match.

84′ GOAL! Argentina 2-2 Egypt: Lionel Messi brings Argentina level with a composed finish. The captain finds the back of the net to complete the comeback, as the defending champions recover from a two-goal deficit and set up a dramatic finish in Atlanta.

79′ GOAL! Argentina 1-2 Egypt: Argentina finally find a breakthrough. Cristian Gabriel Romero gets on the scoresheet after finding the back of the net, giving the defending champions renewed hope as they look for a way back into the match.

74′ Substitution – Egypt: Haissem Hassan is forced to leave the pitch after picking up an injury. Trezeguet comes on as Egypt make a change to maintain their attacking threat.

73′ Substitution – Argentina: Lionel Scaloni makes his first change of the match as Gonzalo Montiel replaces Nahuel Molina.

70′ Lisandro Martinez attempts an ambitious acrobatic volley from the edge of the penalty area, but his effort goes well wide of the right post as Argentina continue searching for a response.

67′ GOAL! Argentina 0-2 Egypt: The Pharaohs strike again on the counter-attack. Haissem Hassan drives forward before finding Mostafa Ziko, who makes no mistake with a composed first-time finish from close range to double Egypt’s lead.

66′ Argentina attempt to respond as Rodrigo de Paul delivers a dangerous cross into the penalty area, but Egypt’s defence reacts quickly to clear the danger. The South Americans will have a corner kick.

60′ VAR CHECK ONGOING: Referee Francois Letexier is reviewing Egypt’s second goal using VAR, with officials checking whether there was a possible foul during the build-up to the attack.

59′ VAR REVIEW: The goal is under review after the referee signals that he wants to examine the incident again, with a potential infringement in the build-up being assessed.

58′ GOAL! Argentina 0-2 Egypt: Egypt double their advantage after a devastating counter-attack. Mohamed Salah collects the ball in space before calmly picking out Mostafa Ziko, who keeps his composure to fire past the goalkeeper from close range. The Pharaohs have stunned the defending champions.

53′ Leandro Paredes reacts quickest to a loose ball on the edge of the box and attempts a first-time effort, but his shot lacks accuracy and flies over the crossbar.

52′ Referee Francois Letexier awards Argentina a free-kick after Mohamed Salah (Egypt) is judged to have committed a foul.

47′ Rodrigo de Paul gets into a promising position at the edge of the penalty area and fires towards the centre of the goal, but the effort lacks power and Mostafa Shobeir comfortably makes the save.

46′ Substitution – Egypt: The second half begins with Haissem Hassan’s side making a change. Emam Ashour is replaced by Hamdi Fathy, who comes on to add fresh energy to the midfield.

46′ The second half is underway, with Egypt holding onto their 1-0 lead against the defending champions.

45+7′ HALF-TIME: Argentina 0-1 Egypt
Referee Francois Letexier brings an entertaining first half to an end, with Egypt heading into the break with a narrow lead after Yasser Ibrahim’s early header. Argentina have created several clear chances but have been frustrated by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, who has produced a series of important saves.

45+4′ Egypt deal with another Argentina attack as Haissem Hassan sends a high cross into the penalty area, but the defence rises to clear the danger.

45′ Five minutes of additional time are indicated at the end of the first half.

43′ Julian Alvarez creates space for a shot on the edge of the box after some clever movement, but his effort misses the target and flies well wide of the right post.

40′ Play is temporarily stopped as Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir receives medical attention after picking up a knock.

39′ BIG SAVE! Argentina come close to an equaliser. Julian Alvarez finds himself unmarked inside the penalty area and attempts a low finish towards the centre of goal, but Mostafa Shobeir makes a superb last-gasp save to deny the striker.

34′ Mohanad Lasheen (Egypt) is penalised for a robust challenge as referee Francois Letexier awards Argentina a free-kick.

31′ OFF THE POST! Lionel Messi comes within inches of drawing Argentina level with a spectacular long-range strike that crashes against the left upright before bouncing away.

28′ Argentina continue to pile on the pressure. Alexis Mac Allister loses his marker to meet a cross with a powerful header, but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produces another outstanding reflex save to preserve his side’s advantage.

24′ Play is temporarily halted as the referee calls for the scheduled cooling break.

21′ SAVED! Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produces a stunning save to deny Lionel Messi from the penalty spot. The Argentina captain aims low towards the bottom right corner, but Shobeir guesses correctly and dives brilliantly to keep the Pharaohs’ 1-0 lead intact.

20′ Lionel Messi steps up to the spot as Argentina are handed a golden opportunity to draw level.

19′ PENALTY TO ARGENTINA! Referee Francois Letexier points to the spot after ruling that Haissem Hassan brought down his opponent with a mistimed challenge inside the area. Argentina have the chance to equalise.

18′ Egypt continue to threaten. Mostafa Ziko gets on the end of a deep cross inside the area, but Argentina’s defenders react quickly to clear the danger.

15′ GOAL! Argentina 0-1 Egypt: Egypt make the breakthrough. Marwan Attia delivers an inviting cross into the penalty area, where Yasser Ibrahim rises to head home from close range, directing his effort into the bottom right corner.

14′ Rodrigo de Paul (Argentina) is penalised after arriving late in a challenge, with referee Francois Letexier awarding Egypt a free-kick.

10′ Argentina are caught offside as Rodrigo de Paul times his run too early while attempting to break in behind the Egyptian defence.

7′ Egypt threaten for the first time as Yasser Ibrahim stretches to meet a cross into the box but is unable to make decisive contact with the ball.

5′ Enzo Fernandez (Argentina) wins the ball back but is penalised for a foul moments later, with referee Francois Letexier stopping play.

2′ Argentina have settled into the contest and are enjoying plenty of early possession as they patiently search for an opening in the Egypt defence.

1′ The Round of 16 clash is underway, with Argentina getting the match started.

Kick-off: Argentina take the opening kick of the game.

Referee: Francois Letexier is the man in charge of today’s World Cup encounter.

🇦🇷 ARGENTINA vs EGYPT 🇪🇬

Starting XI's confirmed! ✅ pic.twitter.com/vEs5YmQHwQ

— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) July 7, 2026

Argentina have also dominated African opposition at the World Cup, winning each of their last eight matches against teams from the continent, a record Egypt will be hoping to end as they pursue another landmark achievement on football’s biggest stage.

The two nations have met only once previously, with Argentina recording a 2-0 victory in an international friendly in 2008.

History favours the South Americans

However, history presents another challenge. Egypt have defeated a South American nation from the CONMEBOL confederation only once, alongside three draws and 12 defeats.

Three of Egypt’s four matches at this tournament have finished level at 1-1 after 90 minutes, highlighting their resilience and suggesting another closely contested encounter could be on the cards.

The Pharaohs have also been difficult to beat in recent months, losing just one of their last eight international matches, recording four wins and three draws during that period.

Egypt arrive full of belief after making history against Australia, claiming their maiden victory in the knockout rounds of a World Cup finals.

Egypt chasing more World Cup history

Argentina will also take confidence from an outstanding record on neutral grounds, having won each of their last 24 matches played away from home advantage.

History also favours the South Americans, with only one defending champion ever failing to progress from this stage, while each of the last five title holders successfully reached the quarterfinals.

Lionel Scaloni’s men have now won 11 consecutive matches and are bidding to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to retain the FIFA World Cup.

Although Argentina advanced to the last 16 with a 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde, their performance raised questions despite extending an impressive winning streak.

Argentina rely on winning mentality despite unconvincing progress

Having secured their first-ever World Cup knockout victory by defeating Australia on penalties in the previous round, Hossam Hassan’s side now face their toughest test yet against an Argentina team chasing back-to-back world titles.

Egypt will attempt to continue their historic FIFA World Cup campaign when they face defending champions Argentina in the Round of 16 in Atlanta on Monday, with the Pharaohs aiming to become only the fifth African nation to reach the quarterfinals.

Welcome to Africasoccer’s live blog of the World Cup 2026 clash between Argentina and Egypt.