08/07/2026 06:59 - Deportes
On July 7, 2026, the Argentine National Team wrote another golden page in its history by defeating Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at the Atlanta Stadium (Mercedes-Benz Stadium, home of the NFL's Atlanta Falcons).
The match began with complications for Lionel Scaloni's side. Egypt took the lead with goals from Yasser Ibrahim (Egyptian defender who plays for Al Ahly, Africa's most decorated club) and Ziko (Egyptian forward), leaving Argentina against the ropes. Even Lionel Messi — Argentina's captain and widely regarded as one of the greatest footballers of all time — missed a penalty kick at a crucial moment, generating anxiety that the captain admitted to feeling after the match.
However, the team's character shone through. Scaloni made three key substitutions, bringing on Tagliafico (former Ajax left-back), Paredes (midfielder who played for Roma and Juventus), and Julián Álvarez (forward who won the 2022 World Cup with Argentina and currently plays for Atlético Madrid), moving the right pieces to reverse the story. The comeback was completed in just 13 minutes and 15 seconds, with goals from Cristian 'Cuti' Romero (79', defender for Tottenham Hotspur), Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernández (92', midfielder for Chelsea), sparking euphoria in Atlanta and across Argentina.
Argentina will play the quarterfinals on Saturday, July 11, 2026 against Switzerland, who eliminated Colombia in Vancouver after a 0-0 draw and a 4-3 penalty shootout win, with a standout performance by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel (Borussia Dortmund).
The victory sparked absolute fervor in Argentina, a country of about 46 million people where football is practically a religion. Provinces like Jujuy and Tucumán (in the north of the country) declared a public holiday from 12:00 PM onward to allow the population to watch the match. In Buenos Aires, the capital city, celebrations gathered thousands of fans at the Obelisco — the iconic monument on Avenida Corrientes that has been the traditional gathering point for national team celebrations since the 1978 World Cup. Some isolated incidents were reported, with 9 people detained and 3 police officers injured.
The world press praised the resilience of the Argentine team, the current defending champions after winning the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. Mirtha Legrand, a 98-year-old Argentine television icon known as 'La Faraona' (The Pharaoh), celebrated the victory by calling Messi's mother, Celia, live on her TV show — a heartwarming moment that went viral on social media.
On the Egyptian side, the Football Federation filed a formal protest with FIFA accusing French referee François Letexier of unfavorable decisions, although FIFA has not yet issued an official response.
| Team | Goals | Scorers |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina 🇦🇷 | 3 | Cristian Romero (79'), Messi, Enzo Fernández (92') |
| Egypt 🇪🇬 | 2 | Yasser Ibrahim, Ziko |
Alfredo S. Quiroga
