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One of the most dramatic matches at the FIFA World Cup took place on Tuesday afternoon at the Atlanta Stadium.
After next week’s World Cup semi-final, the stadium will lose its tournament identity. Mercedes-Benz Stadium will regain its name, and the natural grass installed for the tournament will give way to the artificial turf used for Falcons games before Atlanta hosts the Denver Broncos in a preseason game next month.
While the retractable roof stadium continues to host World Cup drama, its permanent tenant knows all too well what it’s like to be at the center of football’s heartbreak.
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Lionel Messi (10) of Argentina celebrates with teammates after the 3-2 win during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 7, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Patrick Smith – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
More than nine years ago, Tom Brady made one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history, rallying the New England Patriots from a 28-3 deficit to defeat the Falcons in overtime in Super Bowl LI.
Moments after Lionel Messi equalized in the 83rd minute to erase Argentina’s two-goal deficit against Egypt, Enzo Fernández completed the comeback with a header as the final minutes ticked off the clock. Brady then took to social media and drew a comparison to the Patriots’ 2017 comeback.
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) celebrates with the Vince Lombardi Trophy after winning Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons at NRG Stadium on February 5, 2017 in Houston, Texas. (Kevin Jairaj/Imagn Images)
“Yeah so it can top 28-3,” the seven-time Super Bowl winner wrote on X, adding a heartbreaking emoji.
Egypt got on the board first on Tuesday afternoon thanks to Yasser Ibrahim’s goal in the 15th minute. His teammate Mostafa Zico followed with a goal in the 67th to build Egypt’s lead to 2-0.
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Messi helped guide Argentina to its first World Cup title in four years, defeating France in a final that was ultimately decided on penalties.
Lionel Messi (10) of Argentina celebrates his team’s second goal during the FIFA World Cup 2026 Round of 16 match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium on July 7, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Elsa/Getty Images)
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Argentina’s 3-2 comeback on Tuesday booked its place in the quarter-finals, where it will face the winner of Switzerland and Colombia on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. Switzerland and Colombia were goalless at the break of their Round of 16 match.
