New Delhi, July 8 -- Lionel Messi led a stunning late fightback as Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2 to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals on Tuesday, as the reigning champions recovered from a two-goal deficit to escape a monumental upset. The win was another nailbiting close shave for Argentina, who had been taken to the wire by Cape Verde in an extra-time thriller in the last 32.

Egypt looked poised to score a famous victory at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico left them 2-0 up with just 11 minutes of normal time remaining. But Cristian Romero's 79th-minute header from a pinpoint Messi cross started the comeback.

Four minutes later, Messi volleyed in a superb equaliser -- his eighth ...