“Pharaonic Comeback” and Stunning Records on Day 27 of the FIFA World Cup, Audience Leader on Antena 1
Argentina and Switzerland Complete the Quarter-Final Line-up
Total football, intense emotions, and remarkable new milestones defined the final day of the FIFA World Cup Round of 16, as the tournament topped the TV ratings for the 27th consecutive day. The "Pharaonic comeback," as the international press dubbed Argentina's sensational comeback against Egypt, along with the thrilling Switzerland–Colombia clash, decided on penalties and sending Switzerland through to face Messi's Argentina in the quarter-finals, dominated the ratings in yet another historic day of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Both football studio shows – Toată lumea la Antena – as well as the USA–Belgium match from the previous day, whose audience figures were released today, ranked as viewers' top choices. Antena 1 also led the ratings throughout yesterday, both in Prime Time and across the entire broadcast day.
Tomorrow, the world's biggest sporting event, broadcast exclusively across the Antena Universe, reaches the quarter-final stage. Starting at 11:00 PM, the tournament's most exciting team and the new benchmark for spectacular football, France, led by Mbappé, Dembélé and Olizé, takes on the hopes of an entire continent, Morocco, inspired by Brahim Diaz, in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.
Yesterday's penultimate Round of 16 match featured Messi's Argentina against Salah's Egypt in a game that made history. Broadcast live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY between 7:02 PM and 9:04 PM, the thrilling 3-2 victory became the viewers' first choice, recording a 44.8% market share and a 9.4 rating among the commercial audience aged 21–54, compared to Pro TV's 16.8% market share and 3.5 rating points. The same ranking was maintained among the urban audience, where the match posted a 37.2% market share and a 10.6 rating, ahead of Pro TV's 14.9% market share and 4.2 rating points. Nationwide, Antena 1 also led with a 32.2% market share and an 8.5 rating, while Pro TV followed with an 18.1% market share and a 4.8 rating. At the golden minute (8:56 PM), nearly 2.1 million viewers were watching the match on Antena 1.
The final Round of 16 encounter, Switzerland vs. Colombia, decided on penalties (4-3), also became the clear ratings leader. Broadcast live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY between 11:00 PM and 1:51 AM, the match achieved a 42.7% market share among the commercial audience aged 21–54, compared to Pro TV's 11.4%. The hierarchy remained among urban viewers, where Antena 1 posted a 36.5% market share versus Pro TV's 8.6%, as well as nationwide, where Antena 1 reached a 32.7% market share, compared to Pro TV's 11.5%.
Antena 1 also topped the overall daily rankings with a 3.2 rating and a 30.8% market share, as well as throughout Prime Time (7:00 PM–12:00 AM), recording an 8.3 rating and a 37.1% market share among viewers aged 21–54.
The sixth Round of 16 fixture, USA vs. Belgium, whose audience data became available today, also ranked as the clear ratings leader. Broadcast live between 3:00 AM and 4:58 AM on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY, the match recorded a 36.6% market share among the commercial audience aged 21–54, ahead of Kanal D with 21% and Pro TV with 8.7%. Antena 1 also led the ratings across the other key audience categories.
Last night, Messi's Argentina made history live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY in the FIFA World Cup Round of 16. The reigning world champions produced another astonishing comeback, their second consecutive one. After defeating Cape Verde 3-2, Argentina once again won 3-2, this time against Egypt, achieving the turnaround within regular time. Egypt led 2-0 until the closing stages of the match before Messi took control. He assisted Romero's goal, then scored the equalizer himself before Enzo Fernández completed Argentina's incredible comeback with the winning goal.
Another match, another record for Lionel Messi—that has become the Argentine superstar's trademark at this World Cup. The 39-year-old captain of the defending champions set two more remarkable records yesterday, becoming the first player in history to achieve such feats on football's biggest stage. Messi equaled Miroslav Klose's record for the most appearances in FIFA World Cup knockout matches, reaching 14. Furthermore, the match against Egypt marked Messi's 31st FIFA World Cup finals appearance, surpassing Kristine Lilly's previous record of 30 World Cup matches. Yesterday, after contributing to two of Argentina's three goals, Messi also became the only player in history to score in six consecutive FIFA World Cup knockout matches, while also becoming the oldest player ever to both score and provide an assist in a World Cup knockout match.
Argentina's remarkable comeback immediately entered World Cup history, as Lionel Scaloni's side became the first team ever to recover from a 0-2 deficit in a FIFA World Cup knockout match. Media outlets around the world praised Messi and his teammates for delivering a legendary performance when even the most optimistic supporters had lost hope. "Pharaonic comeback," headlined MARCA immediately after the final whistle.
Later that evening, Switzerland faced Colombia in the final Round of 16 match of the FIFA World Cup 2026, one of the most tightly contested games of the tournament, eventually winning 4-3 on penalties. Neither team managed to create a major scoring opportunity during regular time. The match only opened up during extra time before Vargas converted the decisive penalty, sending Switzerland through to a quarter-final clash against Argentina.
On Thursday, the competition reaches another level with the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals:
- France vs. Morocco (Thursday, 11:00 PM, Boston) – live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY
- Spain vs. Belgium (Friday, 10:00 PM, Los Angeles) – live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY
- Norway vs. England (Sunday, 12:00 AM, Miami) – live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY
- Argentina vs. Switzerland (Sunday, 4:00 AM, Kansas) – live on Antena 1 and AntenaPLAY
Source: Fifty5Blue
Copyright: ARMADATA S.R.L.
Audience data processed by: Antena Group Research Department
Analysis based on the following targets: Urban 21–54, Total Urban, and National
Reporting period: July 7, 2026
