{"id":17251,"date":"2026-07-11T00:04:28","date_gmt":"2026-07-10T18:34:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?p=17251"},"modified":"2026-07-11T00:04:28","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T18:34:28","slug":"egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/","title":{"rendered":"Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The Round of 16 had plenty of talking points. But nothing came close to what Egypt did to Argentina at the Atlanta Stadium. For almost seventy minutes, the defending world champions were on the wrong side of a scoreline that would have sent them home. Egypt did not just cause a scare. They nearly pulled off the greatest upset in FIFA World Cup\u2122 history.<\/p><div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_73 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-black ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Page Contents:<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #282fff;color:#282fff\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#How_Egypt_Did_It\" title=\"How Egypt Did It\">How Egypt Did It<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#The_Comeback_Nobody_Should_Have_Needed\" title=\"The Comeback Nobody Should Have Needed\">The Comeback Nobody Should Have Needed<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#What_It_Revealed_About_Argentina\" title=\"What It Revealed About Argentina\">What It Revealed About Argentina<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#Can_Argentina_Fix_It_Before_Switzerland\" title=\"Can Argentina Fix It Before Switzerland?\">Can Argentina Fix It Before Switzerland?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Relive every shocking moment of the <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\"><i>FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122<\/i><\/a><i> on ZEE 5. With\u00a0 <\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/myaccount\/subscription?plan-ref=0-11-7467&amp;asset-ref=0-6-4z5914493&amp;visibility=SELECTED&amp;context=FIFA\"><i>ZEE 5 FIFA Subscription<\/i><\/a><i> Quarterly Plan at \u20b9799 and watch the quarter-finals live in India.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_Egypt_Did_It\"><\/span><b>How Egypt Did It<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Nobody gave <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/egypt\/egypt-squad\">Egypt <\/a>a chance. Argentina were the defending champions, riding the form of Lionel Messi \u2014 a player in the middle of a historic individual tournament, already among the Golden Boot leaders. Egypt were a disciplined, organised side, but facing Argentina at a World Cup? This was not supposed to be comfortable.<\/p>\n<p>Egypt had other ideas. A first-half header put them 1-0 up, and the disbelief in the stadium was palpable. Then came the 58th minute \u2014 Mostafa Ziko fired in what would have been a 2-0 goal, and Egypt&#8217;s bench erupted. VAR intervened. A foul in the build-up, 20 seconds before the ball even crossed the halfway line, was judged to have nullified the goal. The controversy was immediate and ferocious \u2014 but Egypt did not let it deflate them. In the 68th minute, Ziko scored legitimately. 2-0 Egypt. Argentina, the world champions, were staring at elimination.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Comeback_Nobody_Should_Have_Needed\"><\/span><b>The Comeback Nobody Should Have Needed<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>What followed in the final thirteen minutes was the kind of football that only <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/0-6-4z5974253\/0-2-5z5974716\/teams\/argentina\/argentina-squad\">Argentina <\/a>\u2014 and specifically only Messi \u2014 can produce when the stakes are absolute. Cristi\u00e1n Romero headed one back in the 79th minute. Messi equalised in the 83rd. Then, deep into stoppage time, Enzo Fern\u00e1ndez drove the winner past Egypt&#8217;s goalkeeper to make it 3-2. Argentina survived. Just.<\/p>\n<p>Three goals in thirteen minutes. Against a side that had controlled the match for over an hour. Argentina won the game and still left the pitch looking like a team that had been fortunate to escape.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_It_Revealed_About_Argentina\"><\/span><b>What It Revealed About Argentina<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The Egypt match did not happen in isolation. This was not the first time Argentina had been stretched uncomfortably at this tournament. The pattern has been consistent: periods of vulnerability, defensive lapses at critical moments, an over-reliance on individual brilliance to rescue situations that better collective organisation would have avoided entirely.<\/p>\n<p>Egypt exposed that. They pressed Argentina high, denied Messi time on the ball for long stretches, and found space behind an Argentine defensive line that lost its shape under sustained pressure. The goals conceded were not flukes \u2014 they came from structured Egyptian attacks that had identified exactly where Argentina could be hurt. The comeback was brilliant. The position Argentina needed to come back from was deeply concerning.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Watch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/sports\/football\/fifa-world-cup\/2026\/match-clips\/0-6-4z5974253\/arg-vs-egy-quickfire-highlights-fifa-world-cup-2026\/0-1-6z5998701?utm_source=GoogleOneBox&amp;utm_medium=GoogleSearch&amp;utm_campaign=OneBox_quick_fire_highlight\">Egypt vs Argentina Match Highlight<\/a> Free Only On ZEE5.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Can_Argentina_Fix_It_Before_Switzerland\"><\/span><b>Can Argentina Fix It Before Switzerland?<\/b><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The quarter-final against Switzerland in Kansas City on July 12 is a different kind of test \u2014 and in some ways, a more dangerous one. Switzerland do not need to outscore Argentina. They are compact, disciplined, and expert at keeping matches tight until late. They will not give Argentina the kind of loose, open second half that Egypt allowed after going 2-0 up. They will sit, absorb, press at the right moments, and wait.<\/p>\n<p>The question Argentina&#8217;s coaching staff must answer in the next 48 hours is simple and brutal: is what we saw against Egypt a manageable problem, or is it who this team is right now? If it is fixable \u2014 if the defensive shape can be tightened, if the press can be more coordinated, if the team can control a match without needing Messi to drag them back from the edge \u2014 then Argentina remain capable of winning this tournament. If it is not fixable, Switzerland will find the same gaps Egypt found. And this time, there may not be a Messi moment waiting in the 83rd minute to rescue them. Argentina are still alive. Still dangerous. Still Messi. But they are also, undeniably, a team with something broken that they have not yet repaired.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>The FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 quarter-finals are live on ZEE 5. Argentina vs Switzerland \u2014 July 12, 6:30 AM IST. Watch it live in India on ZEE 5.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><i>Disclaimer: Subscription pack prices are subject to change from time to time. Please visit the subscription page for the most up-to-date pricing information.<\/i><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Round of 16 had plenty of talking points. But nothing came close to what Egypt did to Argentina at the Atlanta Stadium. For almost seventy minutes, the defending world champions were on the wrong side of a scoreline that would have sent them home. Egypt did not just cause a scare. They nearly pulled [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":25,"featured_media":15163,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"ub_ctt_via":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3019],"tags":[3563,3562,3031],"class_list":["post-17251","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-fifa-world-cup-2026","tag-argentina-vs-egypt","tag-egypt-football-team","tag-fifa-world-cup-2026"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","author_info":{"display_name":"Sourav K","author_link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"FIFA 2026: Egypt nearly stunned Argentina before a dramatic comeback in the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Round of 16.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"FIFA 2026: Egypt nearly stunned Argentina before a dramatic comeback in the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Round of 16.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"ZEE5 Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-07-10T18:34:28+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1132\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"400\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Sourav K\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@ZEE5India\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@ZEE5India\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Sourav K\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Sourav K\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033\"},\"headline\":\"Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-10T18:34:28+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/\"},\"wordCount\":746,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png\",\"keywords\":[\"Argentina vs Egypt\",\"Egypt Football Team\",\"FIFA World cup 2026\"],\"articleSection\":[\"FIFA World Cup 2026\"],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/\",\"name\":\"Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-07-10T18:34:28+00:00\",\"description\":\"FIFA 2026: Egypt nearly stunned Argentina before a dramatic comeback in the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Round of 16.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png\",\"width\":1132,\"height\":400,\"caption\":\"FIFA World Cup 2026 All Access Pack for \u20b9399\"},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"FIFA World Cup 2026\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/category\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":3,\"name\":\"Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink\"}]},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"ZEE5 Blog\",\"description\":\"\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"ZEE5\",\"alternateName\":\"Zee Entertainment Enterprises\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png\",\"width\":512,\"height\":512,\"caption\":\"ZEE5\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/ZEE5India\",\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXOgAl4w-FQero1ERbGHpXQ\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033\",\"name\":\"Sourav K\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Sourav K\"},\"description\":\"With over 10 years of experience in sports journalism, Sourav is a passionate football writer who has been closely following the game since the 2002 FIFA World Cup. What began as a childhood fascination with football has evolved into a lifelong commitment to understanding and analysing the sport at every level. As both an ardent fan and a former football player, Sourav brings a unique perspective to his writing. He blends firsthand playing experience with in-depth statistical analysis. Having witnessed the rise and fall of footballing dynasties across multiple FIFA World Cups, UEFA Champions League campaigns, Premier League seasons, and international tournaments, he offers readers insightful, balanced, and engaging coverage of the beautiful game. His work is driven by a desire to make football analysis accessible to everyone, right from casual followers looking to stay informed to passionate supporters seeking deeper tactical insights.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink","description":"FIFA 2026: Egypt nearly stunned Argentina before a dramatic comeback in the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Round of 16.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink","og_description":"FIFA 2026: Egypt nearly stunned Argentina before a dramatic comeback in the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Round of 16.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/","og_site_name":"ZEE5 Blog","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/","article_published_time":"2026-07-10T18:34:28+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1132,"height":400,"url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","type":"image\/png"}],"author":"Sourav K","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@ZEE5India","twitter_site":"@ZEE5India","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Sourav K","Est. reading time":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/"},"author":{"name":"Sourav K","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033"},"headline":"Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink","datePublished":"2026-07-10T18:34:28+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/"},"wordCount":746,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","keywords":["Argentina vs Egypt","Egypt Football Team","FIFA World cup 2026"],"articleSection":["FIFA World Cup 2026"],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/","name":"Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","datePublished":"2026-07-10T18:34:28+00:00","description":"FIFA 2026: Egypt nearly stunned Argentina before a dramatic comeback in the FIFA World Cup 2026\u2122 Round of 16.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png","width":1132,"height":400,"caption":"FIFA World Cup 2026 All Access Pack for \u20b9399"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/egypt-put-the-world-champions-on-the-brink\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"FIFA World Cup 2026","item":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/category\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Egypt Put the World Champions on the Brink"}]},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/","name":"ZEE5 Blog","description":"","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#organization","name":"ZEE5","alternateName":"Zee Entertainment Enterprises","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/Appicon_Z5Global_512x512.png","width":512,"height":512,"caption":"ZEE5"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ZEE5India\/","https:\/\/x.com\/ZEE5India","https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCXOgAl4w-FQero1ERbGHpXQ"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/b7f51287e926eac1996d50ea278b7033","name":"Sourav K","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/6e67504e85eace1cfa60dcd37f6d3ebfe062cd8f24a419171fff86280ffae669?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Sourav K"},"description":"With over 10 years of experience in sports journalism, Sourav is a passionate football writer who has been closely following the game since the 2002 FIFA World Cup. What began as a childhood fascination with football has evolved into a lifelong commitment to understanding and analysing the sport at every level. As both an ardent fan and a former football player, Sourav brings a unique perspective to his writing. He blends firsthand playing experience with in-depth statistical analysis. Having witnessed the rise and fall of footballing dynasties across multiple FIFA World Cups, UEFA Champions League campaigns, Premier League seasons, and international tournaments, he offers readers insightful, balanced, and engaging coverage of the beautiful game. His work is driven by a desire to make football analysis accessible to everyone, right from casual followers looking to stay informed to passionate supporters seeking deeper tactical insights.","url":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/author\/sourav-k\/"}]}},"blog_post_layout_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",150,53,false],"full":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",1132,400,false]},"categories_names":{"3019":{"name":"FIFA World Cup 2026","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/category\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/"}},"tags_names":{"3563":{"name":"Argentina vs Egypt","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tag\/argentina-vs-egypt\/"},"3562":{"name":"Egypt Football Team","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tag\/egypt-football-team\/"},"3031":{"name":"FIFA World cup 2026","link":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/tag\/fifa-world-cup-2026\/"}},"comments_number":"0","wpmagazine_modules_lite_featured_media_urls":{"thumbnail":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",150,53,false],"cvmm-medium":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",300,106,false],"cvmm-medium-plus":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",305,108,false],"cvmm-portrait":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",400,141,false],"cvmm-medium-square":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",600,212,false],"cvmm-large":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",1024,362,false],"cvmm-small":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",130,46,false],"full":["https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/1132x400.png",1132,400,false]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/25"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17251"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17251\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":17252,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17251\/revisions\/17252"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15163"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.zee5.com\/global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}