Argentina Storms Back From 2-0 Down to Stun Egypt and Reach the World Cup Quarterfinals

The defending champions nearly went home. Instead, Argentina produced one of the great escapes of the 2026 World Cup, roaring back from two goals down against Egypt to win 3-2 and book a place in the quarterfinals of a tournament being staged across the United States, Canada and Mexico. Trailing 2-0 as late as the 77th minute, Lionel Messi and his teammates scored three unanswered second-half goals to flip a match that had looked all but lost.

The comeback capped a frantic conclusion to the round of 16. In the day's other decisive fixture, Switzerland outlasted Colombia in a penalty shootout, winning 4-3 from the spot after neither side could break through in regulation or extra time. Ruben Vargas buried the decisive fifth penalty to send the Swiss into the quarterfinals for the first time in more than 70 years, an unlikely milestone for a nation more accustomed to early exits on the game's biggest stage.

Those results locked in the full quarterfinal field: Morocco, France, Norway, England, Spain, Belgium, Argentina and Switzerland. The bracket is notable for who is missing as much as who remains — all three host nations were eliminated in the round of 16, with the United States, Canada and Mexico each falling short and depriving the sprawling North American tournament of a home team in the final eight.

The last-eight schedule now comes into focus. France meets Morocco on July 9 in Boston, and Spain faces Belgium on July 10 in Los Angeles. On July 11, Norway takes on England in Miami before Argentina and Switzerland close out the round in Kansas City. The winners will advance toward a championship match set for July 19, the finale of a six-week competition expanded to 48 teams for the first time.

For Argentina, survival keeps alive the prospect of back-to-back titles and another chapter in Messi's storied international career. For Switzerland and the other outsiders still standing, the wide-open bracket offers a rare opening. With the hosts gone and the draw scrambled by upsets, the quarterfinals promise a tournament that has already delivered comebacks, shootouts and history — and still has plenty left to give.