Lionel Messi did what Lionel Messi does. With Argentina staring down a Round of 16 exit at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, the 38-year-old found the net in the 84th minute to level the score at 2-2 against Egypt. The Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta erupted.
The July 7 match between the defending world champions and a Mohamed Salah-led Egyptian squad was the kind of continental clash that draws eyeballs from every corner of the internet.
What happened on the pitch
Argentina entered the knockout stage as defending champions, carrying the weight of expectation that comes with Messi’s reported seven goals in the tournament heading into this match. Egypt, featuring Liverpool’s Salah, had no intention of playing the role of grateful underdog.
The game swung back and forth. Egypt built a lead, Argentina clawed back, and for six agonizing minutes it looked like the South Americans might be heading home. Then Messi equalized in the 84th minute.
