At World Cup 2026, the men wearing gloves have not merely protected leads or preserved clean sheets. They have shaped matches, inspired underdogs and, in many ways, defined the tournament itself.

The Pharaohs looked on course for one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history after racing into a 2-0 lead before the reigning champions staged a sensational late comeback to snatch a 3-2 victory.

Lionel Messi said his tears after Argentina's dramatic 3-2 win over Egypt to reach the World Cup quarterfinals were "a release" in what could have been his final international appearance.

After Argentina beat Egypt in dramatic fashion and Switzerland got the better of Colombia on penalties today, the quarterfinal line-up of the 2026 FIFA World Cup is now complete.

Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw on Wednesday to set up a quarterfinal with defending champions Argentina.

“I was always very competitive since I was young, and I hated losing.” Few football fans would need long to identify the speaker. Cristiano Ronaldo has built an extraordinary career on that relentless competitiveness -- a man who rarely accepted defeat and never settled for being second best.

But long after the final whistle, the biggest talking point remained a VAR decision that denied Egypt from extending their lead further, which perhaps could have reshaped the game’s outcome.

"There have been a lot of things to be questioned on and off the pitch."

Fate in sports is often dictated by the sudden, furious awakening of a protagonist who simply refuses to accept his written ending.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni struggled to contain his emotions while Enzo Fernandez hailed his teammates after their side, inspired by captain Lionel Messi, produced a remarkable late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 and book their place in the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.

Until the 78th minute, Egypt looked firmly in control, holding a 2-0 lead over Argentina and seemingly cruising into the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals at the Atlanta Stadium on Tuesday.

Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni struggled to contain his emotions after his side, inspired by their great skipper Lionel Messi, produced a remarkable late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 and book their place in the World Cup quarterfinals on Tuesday.

True champions are forged in the fires of adversity.

Mostafa Ziko and Yasser Ibrahim were on target for Egypt in a riveting display, but late goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez -- all after the 78th minute -- saw Argentina stage one of the tournament’s most remarkable comebacks.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan makes two changes, bringing in forward Haissem Hassan and midfielder Mohanad Lashin for Omar Marmoush and Hamdy Fathy.

An already electric World Cup atmosphere is set to reach a crescendo tonight as two icons of modern football – Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah -- clash in a blockbuster Round of 16 tie at the Atlanta Stadium.

Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah will take centre stage on Tuesday when defending champions Argentina face Egypt in their last-16 clash at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, with both sides given little time to recover from exhausting Round-of-32 battles.

Argentina and Egypt will meet at the World Cup for the first time.

A World Cup is often a child’s very first introduction to the concept of a setback, wrapped in the safe environment of sport.

What is a World Cup if not a collection of stories to remember? The making of fairy tales, the emergence of the unlikeliest heroes, and the crushing weight of the harshest realities, all mixed into one cauldron, brewing stories to be remembered for a lifetime.