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Reigning champion Argentina escapes with remarkable World Cup victory over Egypt

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Accessibility links Skip to main content Keyboard shortcuts for audio player Open Navigation Menu --> Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Close Navigation Menu Home News Expand/collapse submenu for News National World Politics Business Health Science Climate Race Culture Expand/collapse submenu for Culture Books Movies Television Pop Culture Food Art & Design Performing Arts Life Kit Gaming Music Expand/collapse submenu for Music Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions Podcasts & Shows Expand/collapse submenu for Podcasts & Shows Daily Morning Edition Weekend Edition Saturday Weekend Edition Sunday All Things Considered Up First Here & Now NPR Politics Podcast Featured Wait Wait...Don't Tell Me! Fresh Air Wild Card with Rachel Martin It's Been a Minute Embedded Get NPR+ More Podcasts & Shows Search Newsletters NPR Shop Get NPR+ Tiny Desk New Music Friday All Songs Considered Music Features Live Sessions About NPR Diversity Support Careers Press Ethics Argentina defeats Egypt to advance at World Cup Egypt was leading late, up 2-0. The Argentinians looked beaten. But they fought and fought and fought. Scoring one goal, then another to equalize. And, finally, a third to advance to the quarterfinal. Special Series Soccer Edition Follow the World Cup in the NPR App Find Your Station Sign up for Up First for Soccer Edition on Tuesdays The 2026 FIFA World Cup is from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Sixteen host cities across North America, including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Seattle, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Boston, Kansas City, Miami, and New York/New Jersey in the United States. The NPR Network will have coverage from across the country leading up to and during the championship. Reigning champion Argentina escapes with remarkable World Cup victory over Egypt Updated July 7, 20264:11 PM ET Originally published July 7, 20262:49 PM ET Heard on All Things Considered By Jasmine Garsd , Russell Lewis Lionel Messi #10 of Argentina celebrates scoring his team's second goal during their World Cup match against Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday. Elsa/Getty Images hide caption They looked beaten. And out. Argentina, the defending World Cup champion and No. 1-ranked team, was down 2-0 late against Egypt. Soccer Edition This World Cup marks end of era for Ronaldo and other soccer greats Then, in a span of 13 remarkable minutes, Argentina scored not once, not twice, but three times, capping a comeback for the ages and leaving Egypt stunned and shellshocked. For much of the game in Atlanta, Egypt was in control, hobbling Argentina early. The Egyptian attack began almost immediately with a stunning header goal delivered by Yasser Ibrahim in the 15th minute. After that, Egypt's defense closed ranks, making it practically impossible for Argentina to equalize. It was downhill from there for the Argentines: team captain Lionel Messi failed to convert a penalty kick, and in the 67th minute, Egypt got a second goal from Mostafa Ziko (after an earlier Egyptian goal had been disallowed after a video review). It looked like Argentina was finished. On the brink of elimination. But no one told the Argentine players that. In the 79th minute, Lionel Messi began doing his thing. He fired a cross near the Egyptian goal, and Cristian Romero headed it in. Messi was not done. Four minutes later, he powered a shot past the Egyptian keeper. It was his eighth goal of this tournament, the most of any player. The score was 2-2. Then, in stoppage time, yet another Argentina header and another goal, this time from Enzo Fernandez. "This is the World Cup for you," said Messi after the game. "It wasn't easy to come back from two goals down. But as I always say, this group never gives up. We always try to fight until the end." French referee François Letexier speaks with Egypt forward Mohamed Salah during the World Cup Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt in Atlanta. Roberto Schmidt/AFP via Getty Images hide caption Afterward, Egypt coach Hossam Hassan complained about the French referee and the officiating. "I am not convinced. I am not convinced with this outcome. I'm not convinced with the way things unfolded during this match," said Hassan in a post-match news conference. "We have been treated unfairly today. We have suffered injustice." "We would have deserved to earn this win, but we are leaving with honor, with pride, regardless of this defeat," said Hossan. African soccer teams have been the stars of this World Cup. Morocco has yet to lose a game. Cape Verde qualified for the first time in its history and stymied Spain, Uruguay and Saudi Arabia. Argentina barely beat them in a nail-biter of a match. For Egypt, getting this far in the tournament is historic in itself: it's the first time the team has made it this far. For Argentina, it was a terrifying yet relieving victory: several players, including Messi himself, cried after the game.
− Next, they move to the quarterfinals and will play the winner of today's Switzerland-Colombia match.
+ Next, they move to the quarterfinals and will play Switzerland on Saturday.
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