Argentina 3-2 Egypt Player Ratings: Enzo Fernandez Secures Dramatic Finish As La Albiceleste Beat the Pharaohs In A Late Comeback To Grab Quarterfinal Spot

The reigning champions, Argentina, took on Mohamed Salah's Egypt in their Round of 16 game in the 2026 FIFA World Cup. La Albiceleste were coming off a narrow win against World Cup first-timers Cape Verde, while Hossam Hassan's side defeated Australia on penalties to set up this mouth-watering encounter.

The Argentina national football team were the more dominant side in the first half, with more possession and clear-cut chances. However, it were the Pharaohs who took the lead in the 15th minute through a header from Yasser Ibrahim.

After working on a short corner, Marwan Ateya swung one in the box, and Ibrahim leapt in front of Lisandro Martínez to put the Egypt national football team ahead. Argentina had a brilliant chance to get back into the game, as Haissem Hassan put in a late challenge on Nicolás Tagliafico, resulting in a penalty in the 19th minute.

However, one of the greatest footballers of all time, Lionel Messi, saw his effort saved valiantly by Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir. This was the second penalty Messi missed in this tournament.

Liverpool midfielder Alexis Mac Allister had a good chance from a header, but Shobeir was there once again to parry it away. Messi hit the post with his free-kick shortly after, with Julian Alvarez seeing his shot saved by the ever-present Mostafa Shobeir, and Argentina finished the first half behind in the game.

The second half saw Argentina push for the equalizer with all their might, but the Pharaohs held their defensive line well enough and thwarted everything that was thrown at them.

Egypt thought they had taken a step forward towards their quarterfinal spot in the 58th minute, as Mohamed Salah made a brilliant run from a counterattack, setting up Mostafa Ziko to finish from close range, but VAR disallowed the goal due to a prior foul on Lisandro Martínez on the buildup by Marwan Ateya.

It didn't take them much time to score the second, though, as Ziko was on hand to score once again from a Haissem Hassan cutback to ignite the Egyptian hopes once again. Cristian Romero cut the deficit in half with a header in the 79th minute, despite Shobeir getting a touch on it.

Lionel Messi showcased his greatness once again, as he hit a bullet from inside the box just four minutes later, bringing La Albiceleste into the game at the right moment. The comeback was completed in injury time as Lautaro Martínez's cross was met by Enzo Fernández to put it past a helpless Shobeir to make it 3-2.

Check out the Argentina vs Egypt Player Ratings below.

Argentina National Football Team Player Ratings vs Egypt

Here are the Argentina national football team player ratings from the Argentina vs Egypt Player Ratings.

Egypt National Football Team Player Ratings vs Argentina

Take a look at the Egypt national football team player ratings from the Argentina vs Egypt Player Ratings.

Man of the Match

Lionel Messi was adjudged as Sportsduni's man of the match in this FIFA World Cup Round of 16 game.

Worst Performer

Emiliano Martínez was the worst performer from Argentina vs Egypt.