Egyptian winger Mostafa Ziko became one of the biggest stories of the 2026 World Cup on Tuesday, scoring against Argentina and having another goal controversially disallowed by VAR before the defending champions staged a late 3-2 comeback in Atlanta.
Ziko’s 67th-minute strike, finished off a sweeping counterattack launched by Mohamed Salah, put Egypt 2-0 up and on the brink of a historic upset. Lionel Messi then inspired three Argentine goals in the final 13 minutes to break Egyptian hearts at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Who Is Mostafa Ziko? Egypt’s Breakout World Cup Star
Mostafa Mohamed Zaky Abdelraouf, born April 27, 1997, is a left winger for Egyptian Premier League club Pyramids FC and the Egypt national team.
His nickname carries a family story: he is called Ziko after Brazilian legend Zico, the Flamengo icon, an admiration inherited from his father. The name proved fitting on Tuesday, as the 29-year-old tormented a South American giant on football’s biggest stage.
What Happened Against Argentina?
Egypt led through Yasser Ibrahim’s 15th-minute header, and goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved a Messi penalty minutes later. In the 58th minute, Ziko finished a length-of-the-field counterattack to seemingly make it 2-0, but VAR ruled it out for a foul by Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martínez far earlier in the move.
The Fox broadcast openly criticized the intervention, with the foul occurring well before and far away from the goal. Ziko answered nine minutes later: after an Argentina corner, Salah surged through midfield, fed Haissem Hassan on the right, and Hassan’s cross found Ziko, who buried the finish.
Messi’s Record Comeback
Trailing 2-0 in the 75th minute, Argentina produced the first regulation-time comeback from that position in World Cup knockout history. Messi assisted Cristian Romero’s header in the 79th, equalized himself in the 83rd, his eighth goal of the tournament, and Enzo Fernández headed the stoppage-time winner from Lautaro Martínez’s cross.
The defeat ended Egypt’s best-ever World Cup run. The Pharaohs had reached the Round of 16 for the first time in their history, hoping to join Morocco as a second African quarter-finalist.
Mostafa Ziko Club Career Timeline
Ziko began at Gomhoriat Shebin before joining Haras El Hodoud in 2019, spending four seasons developing as a winger in the Egyptian top flight.
His breakthrough came at ZED FC, which he joined in August 2023. He finished as the club’s top scorer in 2024–25 with six goals and three assists in 23 league appearances, attracting interest from Zamalek and a Gulf club.
In August 2025, Ziko signed for Pyramids FC on a contract running to June 2029, joining the reigning African champions shortly after their first CAF Champions League title. He has since won the CAF Super Cup and the Egypt Cup with the Cairo club, contributing six goals and two assists in the current league season.
International Career and 2026 World Cup
Ziko earned his first Egypt call-up in 2022 under then-coach Carlos Queiroz and was named in Hossam Hassan’s final 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup.
Playing alongside Salah, Omar Marmoush, and Trezeguet, he emerged as one of Egypt’s key attacking outlets in the tournament. Ahead of the Argentina clash, he said Egyptian fans were the team’s biggest motivation. Brazilian media also ran features on the Egyptian winger who takes his name from their own legend Zico.
What’s Next for Mostafa Ziko?
At 29, Ziko leaves the World Cup with his profile transformed. A goal against the world champions, plus a second wrongly or rightly erased by VAR, puts him among the tournament’s memorable breakout performers.
With his Pyramids contract running to 2029 and prior interest from Egyptian giants and Gulf clubs, a strong 2026–27 season could bring renewed transfer attention. Argentina, meanwhile, advance to face Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals.
FAQ
Who is Mostafa Ziko?
He is an Egyptian left winger, born April 27, 1997, who plays for Pyramids FC and the Egypt national team. His real name is Mostafa Mohamed Zaky Abdelraouf.
Why is he called Ziko?
The nickname honors Brazilian great Zico of Flamengo, a passion passed down from his father.
Did Ziko score against Argentina?
Yes. He scored Egypt’s second goal in the 67th minute of the Round-of-16 match on July 7, 2026, and had an earlier strike disallowed by VAR. Argentina won 3-2.
Why was Egypt’s goal disallowed?
Video review found Marwan Attia fouled Lisandro Martínez in the build-up, well before the finish, a decision broadcasters criticized as harsh.
What club does Mostafa Ziko play for?
Pyramids FC in the Egyptian Premier League, on a contract until June 2029, after spells at Gomhoriat Shebin, Haras El Hodoud, and ZED FC.
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Last Updated on July 7, 2026 by 247 News Around The World
