Lionel Messi delivered a dramatic late-game performance, scoring once and assisting another, to propel Argentina to a 3-2 victory over Egypt and into the World Cup quarterfinals. Egypt held a 2-0 lead late in the second half, but Messi's 79th-minute assist for Cristian Romero and his own equalizer four minutes later ignited the stunning turnaround. Enzo Fernández then headed home the winner in second-minute stoppage time, completing a historic rally.

This victory marks the first time in World Cup history a knockout match has been won in regulation time after trailing by two goals past the 75th minute. Messi's goal extended his World Cup scoring streak to a record nine consecutive matches, bringing his tournament tally to eight goals, one ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Despite missing an early penalty, the 39-year-old captain once again proved decisive for the defending champions.

Argentina, aiming to become the first back-to-back World Cup winners since Brazil in the 1960s, will face either Colombia or Switzerland in the quarterfinals. Egypt's historic run to the round of 16 ended in heartbreak, despite goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, and having a second Zico goal disallowed by VAR.