Argentina avert seismic shock to stun Egypt with late comeback

 FIFA World Cup 2026

• Defending champions score 3 goals in last 13 minutes after trailing 0-2

Defending champions Argentina survived what was shaping up to be one of the tournament’s biggest seismic shocks, rallying from two goals down to beat Egypt with three late strikes in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 encounter.

Egypt led 2-0 well beyond the 70-minute mark and appeared on course for a famous victory before Argentina mounted a remarkable fightback in the final quarter of regular time to break Egyptian hearts.

The result also rewrote history for Lionel Messi’s side, as Argentina had never previously won a World Cup match after trailing 2-0.

Yasser Ibrahim gave Egypt the lead in the 15th minute of the Round of 16 encounter before Mostafa Zico doubled the advantage in the 67th minute, leaving the defending champions on the brink of a stunning upset.

However, following the final hydration break, Argentina began their revival. Cristian Romero reduced the deficit in the 79th minute before Messi levelled the scores four minutes later. Enzo Fernandez then completed the turnaround with the winner in the 90th minute, sealing a spectacular comeback from the jaws of defeat, with the team’s talisman Messi named Player of the Match.

Spain pips Portugal, Belgium hammers USA 

Mikel Merino’s stoppage-time strike snatched Spain victory over Portugal at Dallas Stadium and a FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-final place. Luis De La Fuente’s team will now head to Los Angeles Stadium to play the winners of USA-Belgium.

The first half was shot-high but goal-shy. Mikel Oyarzabal spurned Spain’s best chance, pulling his attempt wide after Dani Olmo sent him clean through, while Diogo Costa did brilliantly to tip Alex Baena’s curler round the post.

Cristiano Ronaldo threatened for Portugal, who came closest when Nuno Mendes’s deflected drive rattled the crossbar.

The sides were more cautious in the second period. On extra time’s cusp, however, two substitutes combined as Ferran Torres set up Merino to settle the contest with a powerful and precise low finish.

The final whistle seemingly marked the end of Ronaldo’s time on football’s biggest stage. “This will be my last World Cup,” he reiterated pre-match.

The 41-year-old hit 11 goals in 27 games and set multiple milestones, including becoming the first man to score in six editions.

Belgium booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals with a 4-1 victory over USA at Seattle Stadium

Charles De Ketelaere’s brace, Hans Vanaken’s first World Cup goal and a late strike from substitute Romelu Lukaku set up a last-eight meeting with Spain, while USA became the final co-hosts to exit the tournament after Canada and Mexico had already bowed out in the Round of 16.

The warning signs were there for Mauricio Pochettino’s side when Timothy Castagne’s 18-yard strike forced Matt Freese into a flying save at the end of Belgium’s first meaningful attack.

Youri Tielemans then went within inches of turning home Dodi Lukebakio’s cross before Rudi Garcia’s men took a deserved lead. Leandro Trossard’s teasing delivery into the box caused all manner of problems for the USA defence, with Nicolas Raskin firing across for De Ketelaere to tap home.

Belgium appeared to be cruising, but their lead was cancelled out after 31 minutes when Malik Tillman’s deflected free-kick wrong-footed Thibaut Courtois. However, the scores were level for just 116 seconds as Trossard’s cross from the left found De Ketelaere, who headed home his second goal of the contest.

USA’s task was made even harder just before the hour mark when a defensive mishap gifted Belgium a third goal. Freese raced out of his area to clear but missed the ball, allowing De Ketelaere to steal possession before Vanaken’s long-range effort evaded Tim Ream’s attempted block and found the empty net.

The Stars and Stripes showed signs of life in the closing stages as substitute Sebastian Berhalter fired wide and Courtois denied Folarin Balogun, only for Lukaku to pounce on a loose clearance and finish with aplomb in stoppage time to put the result beyond any doubt.

Spain await Belgium at Los Angeles Stadium on 10 July.