07/07/2026 21:30 - Deportes
On July 7, 2026, the Argentine National Team achieved an epic comeback by defeating Egypt 3-2 at the Atlanta Stadium, advancing to the World Cup 2026 Quarter-Finals. Overcoming a two-goal deficit, the team coached by Lionel Scaloni once again demonstrated their unbreakable spirit.
Defender Cristian Romero scored the first goal to narrow the gap at the 79th minute, assisted by the unstoppable Lionel Messi. Just four minutes later, Messi scored the temporary equalizer. Finally, in stoppage time, Enzo Fernández sealed the definitive 3-2 victory following a sensational cross from Lautaro Martínez. It is worth noting that Messi had missed a penalty kick earlier in the match, while Mostafa Shobeir was the standout figure in the African goal. Scaloni also made three key substitutions: Tagliafico, Paredes, and Julián Álvarez.
Immediately after the match, euphoria overflowed in the streets across the country. Amid the celebrations, the Secretary General of ATE Nacional (the state workers' union), Rodolfo Aguiar, used his social media to address President Javier Milei directly.
“What are you doing President @JMilei? Did you watch the match? You should declare a national holiday. After so many decrees you signed and foreign independences you celebrated, today you have the opportunity to show your true national feeling. Other countries have done it. Do not waste this moment. The workers and the entire people deserve it,” the union leader wrote.
The message reopened the debate on whether reaching the quarter-finals justifies the suspension of national labor activities. This occurs in a context of strong confrontation between the state union and the national government over salary policies and layoffs.
Aguiar's request comes at an early stage of the tournament. The closest precedent indicates that after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, the national government decreed an exceptional holiday only for December 20, 2022, to facilitate the celebrations and the massive reception of the championship squad. The measure came after the conquest was consummated, not during the quarter-finals.
For the match on July 7, 2026, several provinces and municipalities anticipated their stance to allow workers to enjoy the game. Governments like Jujuy and Tucumán decreed administrative and school holidays from 12:00 PM. San Juan granted an early leave of 40 minutes, while La Rioja released workers from 11:30 AM. Localities like Pehuajó and Iguazú also joined the initiative.
The qualification unleashed massive celebrations nationwide. In Buenos Aires, the Obelisk was the epicenter of the celebration, while in Córdoba, Patio Olmos and other cities recorded emotional crowds. Argentina, defending its title, now awaits its rival in the quarter-finals: they will play on Saturday, July 11, 2026 against the winner of the match between Colombia and Switzerland, guaranteeing at least one South American representative in the semi-finals.
Alfredo S. Quiroga
