Last updated: July 7, 2026, 4:53 p.m. ET

What's behind a dramatic World Cup day in Canada?

Argentina completed a stunning 3-2 comeback against Egypt on Tuesday, July 7, while Vancouver prepared to host its final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup at BC Place. Lionel Messi scored his tournament-leading eighth goal, and the winner of Colombia versus Switzerland was set to meet Argentina in the quarterfinals.

For Canadian fans, the day carries extra weight. The national team is already out, but BC Place is closing its seven-match World Cup run with a knockout game dominated by Colombian support.

The Full Story

Tuesday's knockout action began in Atlanta, where Egypt took a 1-0 halftime lead over defending champion Argentina. Yasser Ibrahim scored in the 15th minute, even though Argentina held 53 per cent possession and outshot Egypt 7-2 before the break.

The match then swung dramatically. Egypt moved two goals ahead, but Argentina recovered to win 3-2. Messi scored the equalizer for his eighth goal of the tournament, and Enzo Fernandez struck the winner in added time. The result sent Argentina into the quarterfinals and kept its bid for a second consecutive World Cup title alive.

Attention then shifted to Vancouver, where Colombia and Switzerland were preparing to decide Argentina's next opponent. Roughly 90 per cent of the crowd appeared to be backing Colombia, with yellow jerseys overwhelming scattered pockets of Swiss red inside BC Place.

Switzerland entered the match missing Johan Manzambi, Michel Aebischer and Luca Jaquez. Manzambi's absence was especially significant: the 20-year-old had produced three goals and two assists in Switzerland's first four matches before suffering a knee injury in training.

Key Figures

Lionel Messi remains central to Argentina's title defence after moving to eight goals, the highest total cited in Tuesday's updates. His equalizer helped turn a two-goal deficit into a place in the quarterfinals.

Enzo Fernandez delivered the decisive moment by scoring in added time against Egypt. Yasser Ibrahim had earlier given Egypt the lead in the 15th minute.

For Switzerland, Johan Manzambi is a major absence. His five direct goal contributions across four matches made him one of the team's most productive players before the knee injury ruled him out against Colombia.

Round of 16

The knockout stage in which 16 remaining teams compete for eight quarterfinal places.

Added time

Extra minutes played at the end of a half to compensate for stoppages.

Facts & Figures

Argentina's comeback was built around a sharp second-half reversal. Egypt led 1-0 at halftime and later went 2-0 ahead, but the defending champions scored three times to win 3-2.

Messi's goal was his eighth of the tournament. Before kickoff, he had been tied on seven with France's Kylian Mbappé and Norway's Erling Haaland.

Vancouver's finale also carries a clear local marker: BC Place hosted seven World Cup matches. One volunteer, Fahim Mahfuz, had been at the stadium for all seven, while Tuesday's crowd was estimated to be about 90 per cent pro-Colombia.

What This Means

The tournament has already delivered a historic chapter for Canadian men's soccer. Canada reached the knockout stage for the first time at a men's World Cup before losing 3-0 to Morocco, and the team returned home after a run that included its first men's World Cup point and win.

Tuesday therefore marks both an ending and a continuation for Canadian supporters. Vancouver's hosting duties conclude with the Colombia-Switzerland match, but the wider tournament moves deeper into the knockout rounds, with Argentina already waiting for the winner.

The atmosphere at BC Place also shows how a Canadian venue became a meeting point for international fan communities. Thousands of Colombian supporters gathered around downtown Vancouver, while Switzerland played its third consecutive match in the city.

What to Expect

The confirmed next step is a quarterfinal in Kansas City on Saturday. Argentina will face the winner of Switzerland versus Colombia.

Elsewhere in the tournament, France is set to play Morocco on Thursday in Foxborough, Massachusetts, after beating Paraguay 1-0. England is scheduled to meet Norway on Saturday in Miami.

FAQ

Did Argentina beat Egypt at the 2026 World Cup?

Yes. Argentina came back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 in the round of 16 on July 7, 2026.

How many goals does Lionel Messi have at the 2026 World Cup?

Messi reached eight tournament goals after scoring the equalizer against Egypt.

Who scored Argentina's winning goal against Egypt?

Enzo Fernandez scored the winner in added time.

Who will Argentina play in the quarterfinals?

Argentina will face the winner of the Switzerland-Colombia match.

Why is the Vancouver match significant?

It is the seventh and final World Cup match hosted at BC Place during the 2026 tournament.

Which Switzerland players are missing against Colombia?

Johan Manzambi, Michel Aebischer and Luca Jaquez were unavailable for the round-of-16 match.