Mostafa Shobeir produced a moment that will live long in Egyptian football memory — stopping a Lionel Messi penalty during Argentina's FIFA World Cup 2026 group-stage clash in Atlanta.

The save marked the second time Messi has been denied from the spot at this tournament, a remarkable statistic for a player widely regarded as one of the finest penalty takers of his generation.

Shobeir's intervention kept Egypt competitive and underlined just how hard the Pharaohs have been to break down at this World Cup. The goalkeeper's performance drew widespread admiration, with his stop described by many observers as brilliant.

For Argentina, the missed penalty represented a costly failure to convert a golden opportunity against an Egypt side that refused to be overrun by the reigning world champions.

The match took place in Atlanta, one of the host venues for the 2026 World Cup, which is being held across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.