Argentina survived one of the most dramatic matches of the 2026 FIFA World Cup on Tuesday, overturning a two-goal deficit in the final minutes to beat Egypt 3-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, advancing to the quarterfinals with a performance that has sparked fierce controversy over officiating.

Egypt, appearing in the round of 16 for the first time in the country's World Cup history, stunned the reigning world champions with an attacking display that belied their underdog status. Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt in front within 15 minutes, and Mostafa Zico doubled the lead in the second half. Argentina's Lionel Messi had already been denied by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, who saved a first-half penalty and kept Egypt's advantage intact into the closing stages. But from the 79th minute, Argentina turned the game on its head: Cristian Romero pulled one back, Messi equalised four minutes later — his eighth goal of the tournament — and Enzo Fernandez headed in a winner deep into stoppage time to send the South American nation through.

The match was engulfed in controversy almost from the outset. A goal by Zico was disallowed after VAR intervened to penalise a foul deep in the build-up — a decision Egypt's coach Hossam Hassan described as