Argentina 3-2 Egypt - Five key takeaways from FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 clash

Lionel Messi has scored 21 goals in the FIFA World Cup.

Argentina created a historic comeback against Egypt to secure a berth in the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The South American heavyweights have reached the last 8 for the 12th time in their history.

However, there were many talking points in the game. From disallowed goals to missed penalties, the match had a lot to offer to the football fans. Yasser Ibrahim helped Egypt take an early lead over Argentina by scoring in the 15th minute via a header. Ziko later doubled the side’s lead in the 67th minute.

In the 79th minute, Cristian Romero ignited the comeback for the side, which was eventually completed by Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández.

On that note, let’s take a look at the five key takeaways from the FIFA World Cup 2026 clash:

5. Emiliano Martinez fails to keep a clean sheet for the third consecutive game

Last edition’s Golden Glove winner, Emiliano Martinez, started the 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign on a high by keeping clean sheets against Algeria and Australia. However, since then, he has conceded five goals in three matches for La Albiceleste. Against Cape Verde in the round of 32, he made three saves and conceded two goals.

However, he had zero saves against Egypt, as he conceded two crucial goals that kept the defending champions 2-0 for almost 80 minutes. While Martinez is expected to be one of the most important players, he has been a weak link.

4. Lack of width in La Albiceleste’s line-up

Against the Pharaohs, the Argentine squad lacked width. They played a narrow 4-1-2-1-2 formation, which had layers but less width. Nahuel Molina and Nicolás Tagliafico played as the right and left backs, respectively, for the defending champions; however, their impact on the game was less than that of other players.

Also Read: Who is Yasser Ibrahim? Egypt goalscorer vs Argentina in FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16

3. Lionel Messi and records

After being named in the starting XI against Egypt, Lionel Messi became the first player in the tournament’s history to make 30 appearances in the FIFA World Cup. However, later in the game, the Argentine superstar became the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties in a single edition (excluding shootouts).

The 39-year-old has missed four penalties at FIFA World Cups, not including shoot-outs, twice as many as any other player. Messi surpassed Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan (2) for most non-shootout penalties missed in the World Cup.

2. Egypt’s defence tactics seemed to work

Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush was benched by Hossam Hassan in the round of 16 clash because of the 27-year-old’s lack of production in attack. After the Pharaohs witnessed a lacklustre performance from their attack in the round of 32 against Australia, Hassan decided to field a defensive playing XI against the defending champions in the crucial game.

The defensive duo of Rami Rabia and Yasser Ibrahim certainly outclassed the Argentine side’s attack. Yasser Ibrahim gave his side an early lead and made 7 defensive contributions, while Rabia was included in 11 defensive actions, the most by any player in the game. Additionally, Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir even saved a penalty while making four saves.

However, the game’s dynamics changed in the last 15 minutes when they conceded three goals.

1. Egypt’s disallowed goal

Zico scored a spectacular goal in the 58th minute to double Egypt’s lead over defending champions, Argentina. However, the goal was eventually overruled after referee François Letexier consulted VAR. Interestingly, Letexier allowed the game to continue when the foul occurred and eventually had to check with the video assistant referee to disallow it.

The referee called out for a foul on Lisandro Martinez, who had two goal contributions during La Albiceleste’s round of 32 triumph over Cape Verde. A free kick was eventually awarded to the South American giants, while the goal being ruled out felt wrong.

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