Enzo Fernandez heads Argentina to dramatic comeback against Egypt

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·07 de julho de 2026

Enzo Fernandez heads Argentina to dramatic comeback against Egypt

Argentina completed a remarkable World Cup Round of 16 comeback against Egypt in Atlanta, recovering from 2-0 down to win 3-2 with three goals in the final 13 minutes. Enzo Fernandez's header at 90+2' completed the turnaround after Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi had pulled Argentina level, overturning Yasser Ibrahim's 15th-minute opener and Mostafa Mohamed Zaki Abdelraouf's 67th-minute strike.

The defending champions had looked set for elimination after Messi's 21st-minute penalty was saved by Oufa Shobeir, with Egypt's goalkeeper producing spectacular stops to preserve their lead throughout. Scaloni's substitutions proved decisive as Lautaro Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel both contributed assists during the frantic finale. GOAL breaks down the winners & losers from Argentina v Egypt.

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Winners

Enzo Fernandez (Argentina)

Enzo Fernandez delivered when Argentina needed him most, rising at the back post to head home Lautaro Martinez's cross in the 90+2' minute. The goal put Argentina ahead for the first time in the match and completed one of the most dramatic comebacks in World Cup knockout history.

The midfielder had overcome an early knock to the knee inside the opening minutes, continuing to play the full match. Throughout the contest, Fernandez showed excellent ball retention and progressive passing, frequently receiving between the lines and driving Argentina forward when the team desperately needed a creative catalyst.

His timing for the winning goal was impeccable, arriving late into the box to meet the delivery with a powerful header that Shobeir could not keep out. Fernandez's combination of tireless running, intelligent positioning, and composure to finish at the crucial moment defined Argentina's rescue act.

Lionel Messi (Argentina)

Lionel Messi produced a performance of redemption after his 21st-minute penalty was saved by Shobeir. The captain transformed the match in the closing stages, providing the assist for Cristian Romero's header at 79 minutes before scoring the equaliser himself at 83 minutes with a powerful left-footed strike.

Messi adapted his role in the second half, dropping deeper to create from the right flank after Argentina's substitutions. His free-kick had struck the post at 31 minutes when it seemed nothing would go Argentina's way, but he continued probing and eventually found the breakthrough with his precise cross for Romero.

His eighth goal of the tournament extended his position as the competition's leading scorer and erased the memory of the earlier penalty miss. Messi's ability to change the game when facing a two-goal deficit demonstrated his enduring influence at 39 years old.

Loser

Omar Marmoush (Egypt)

Omar Marmoush entered the match at 80 minutes with Egypt leading 2-0, tasked with helping see out a historic victory. Instead, his brief cameo was defined by a costly error in the 91st minute that directly contributed to Argentina's winning goal, turning a potential triumph into heartbreak.

Attempting to lead a counter-attack, Marmoush lost possession with a poor pass under pressure. The turnover allowed Argentina to break quickly forward, creating the opportunity that Lautaro Martinez converted into the assist for Enzo Fernandez's decisive header at the back post moments later.

What should have been a chance to help Egypt secure their first World Cup knockout victory since 1934 became a nightmare. Marmoush's inability to retain possession at the critical moment proved the difference between a historic upset and devastating elimination for the Pharaohs.