Our third and final match of World Cup 2026 was a thrilling Round of 16 clash between Argentina and Egypt. While my bracket predictions accurately had Argentina advancing, I had originally tipped Belgium to be their opponents here. Since we were already in Atlanta for the England v DRC match, staying put for this fixture made the logistics seamless.
This marks my eighth World Cup in person – a streak that began with a single match at the 1994 USA World Cup and has continued through every tournament since, save for South Korea and Japan in 2002.
The match itself lived up to the occasion. Egypt shocked the defending champions by taking an early 2-0 lead on swift counter-attacks. Lionel Messi then sparked the comeback, driving Argentina back into the contest before halftime. The drama culminated late in the second half when Enzo Fernández delivered a brilliant strike to seal a 3-2 victory for the holders.
Again, so I don’t have to repeat everything, you can review the Match Summary from ESPN.
Opening of the Match | iPhone 16 Pro | 6.8 mm Back Camera | f/1.8 | 1/200th | ISO100
We had seats in Row 37 for this one, and it was pretty respectable to see the whole field and be able to take in the back and forths.
Ready to go!! | iPhone 16 Pro | 15.7 mm Back Camera | f/2.8 | 1/280th | ISO50
The first half was completely unexpected. Without ruining any of the surprise, Egypt went ahead in the 15th minute on a header goal. In the 20th minute, Argentina was awarded a Penalty Kick, which was saved by the Egyptian Goalkeeper. The first half ended with Egypt up 1-0.
Argentine Penalty Kick | iPhone 16 Pro | 15.7 mm Back Camera | f/2.8 | 1/100th | ISO80
A surprising score line | iPhone 16 Pro | 15.7 mm Back Camera | f/2.8 | 1/280th | ISO100
Egypt did finally go ahead in the 67th minute, and all of us thought that would be it for Argentina’s World Cup dreams. However, in the 79th minute, Argentina scored one off of a header, then 5 minutes later, Messi scored to bring it level at 2-2.
The score tied up | iPhone 16 Pro | 6.8 mm Back Camera | f/1.8 | 1/300th | ISO100
Argentina finalized the comeback with a goal in the 90+2 minute, by Enzo Martinez to put Argentina ahead to finish the match.
Argentina goes ahead | iPhone 16 Pro | 6.8 mm Back Camera | f/1.8 | 1/120th | ISO50
Game done | iPhone 16 Pro | 15.7 mm Back Camera | f/2.8 | 1/100th | ISO100
The crew | iPhone 16 Pro | 2.2 mm Back Camera | f/2.2 | 1/100th | ISO250
First, I will say that it was an incredible match. Much like the Final in 2022, I thought the match was over around the 65th-70th minute, then the unexpected happened. In the Final in 2022, it was Argentina that was ahead, comfortably, and France came back to tie it up before end of regular time, both teams scored in Extra Time, and it finally went to Penalties, with Argentina going ahead.
This match, Argentina were well behind, but managed to score three goals in the last 12 minutes to finish the match as the winners.
A final note – at the World Cup in South Africa, I was a bit scared to carry expensive camera gear around, and only brought my proper camera to a single game. In Brazil, again, I brought the camera to the first two matches, but couldn’t be bothered for our final match in São Paulo. In Russia, the regulations were that it was ok to bring lenses up to 200 mm. Then in Qatar, they said only lenses up to 10 cms (my 70-200 zoom lens is 11 cms), and finally at the 2026 version, the regulations were that you could only bring ‘non-professional’ cameras, including none with ‘detachable lenses’. One of the Guards at the Qatar final said I wouldn’t be allowed to bring my camera in because “I might throw it at someone if my team was losing.” I told him that my camera and lens cost more than my monthly salary, and I wouldn’t be throwing it anywhere. For this match, I actually forgot my ‘point and click’ camera from other matches, and I was only left with my iPhone 16.
In any event, an epic end to our live matches at the 2026 version of the FIFA World Cup. I am certainly already looking forward to the Spain / Portugal / Morocco version in 2030.
Paul Rin Travel Photojournalism 