Argentina defeats Egypt 3-2 to advance to World Cup 2026 quarterfinals as host nations exit tournament.
Lead:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America entered its knockout stages with several dramatic encounters across the Round of 16. Argentina secured passage to the quarterfinals with a commanding 3-2 victory over Egypt, courtesy of goals from Lionel Messi and other key performers. Meanwhile, the three host nations—the United States, Canada, and Mexico—all exited the competition, extending a 28-year drought for host nations winning the tournament.
Belgium advanced to the quarterfinals with a dominant 4-1 victory over the United States, while Switzerland progressed via penalty shootout against Colombia. The tournament has recorded 14 own goals to date, underlining the intensity of competition across all fixture rounds.
Top Stories:
Lionel Messi, Argentina — Messi continued his record-breaking campaign by rescuing Argentina in the final stages against Egypt. The Paris-born legend now leads the tournament's scoring charts and has extended his legendary tournament presence across nine matches.Belgium national team — The Belgian squad climbed to eighth place in the FIFA world rankings following their convincing victory over the United States. This performance marks a significant achievement as they prepare to face Argentina in the quarterfinals.French referee Francois Letexier — The officiating official deactivated his Instagram account following intense online criticism and harassment after managing the Egypt-Argentina match. The digital backlash reflects broader tensions surrounding contentious refereeing decisions.Marcelo Brozovic, Al-Nassr — The Croatian midfielder departed Al-Nassr after three years with the Saudi club. The former Dinamo Zagreb star's exit marks the end of a significant chapter in his professional career.Joao Cancelo transfer — Barcelona confirmed the permanent acquisition of Al-Hilal's right-back Joao Cancelo for approximately ten million euros. The Spanish club completed the transfer as part of their defensive reinforcement strategy.Egypt national team — The Pharaohs departed the tournament with their reputation enhanced despite the quarterfinal exit. Head coach Hossam Hassan confirmed his satisfaction with the team's tactical preparation and overall performance against strong opposition.What to Watch:
Quarterfinal matchup between Argentina and Switzerland, following Switzerland's dramatic penalty shootout progression against Colombia.Morocco's anticipated clash with France in the quarterfinals, as the North African nation continues its impressive monetary earnings from the tournament, exceeding 31 million dollars in prize money.