Argentina produced a remarkable late comeback from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday, keeping Lionel Messi’s World Cup dream alive and booking a place in the quarter-finals.
The defending champions looked destined for a shock exit after first-half goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko either side of a saved Messi penalty put Egypt within touching distance of one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
But Cristian Romero’s header sparked an extraordinary revival as Argentina scored three times in the final 11 minutes, including stoppage time, to snatch victory.
Messi levelled the match with seven minutes remaining, smashing home on the half-volley to score in a ninth consecutive World Cup match and move back to the top of the tournament’s scoring charts with eight goals.
Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround two minutes into stoppage time, powering home a superb header to send Argentina into the last eight, where they will face either Colombia or Switzerland on Saturday.
At the final whistle, an emotional Messi was reduced to tears as he embraced his teammates after another dramatic escape.
Egypt, meanwhile, were left incensed by a series of contentious refereeing decisions, including the VAR-assisted disallowing of a second-half goal, while one member of their coaching staff was sent off after the winning goal.
Having survived another major scare against African opposition following their narrow 3-2 victory over Cape Verde in the previous round, Argentina remain on course to defend their title.
Coach Lionel Scaloni refreshed his starting lineup with Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez returning to the side, but his team once again struggled to find rhythm early on.
Egypt struck first when Marwan Attia’s deep cross found Yasser Ibrahim, who headed powerfully past Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina had an immediate opportunity to respond after Tagliafico was brought down inside the penalty area.
Instead, Messi endured more World Cup penalty frustration.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner saw his spot-kick comfortably saved by Mostafa Shobeir, his fourth miss from eight non-shootout penalties at World Cups and his second of the tournament.
Shobeir continued his outstanding performance by denying Alexis Mac Allister with a point-blank save before producing another superb stop to keep out Julian Alvarez.
Egypt thought they had doubled their lead just after the hour when Mohamed Salah released Mostafa Ziko, who delicately lifted the ball over Martinez.
However, lengthy VAR intervention ruled out the goal for a foul on Lisandro Martinez in the build-up, a decision that sparked furious protests from the Egyptian players and bench.
The setback proved only temporary.
Moments later Salah launched another rapid counterattack before Hassan crossed for Ziko to restore Egypt’s two-goal advantage, leaving Argentina seemingly on the brink of elimination.
Romero’s towering header with 11 minutes remaining finally breathed life into the holders.
Lautaro Martinez then headed narrowly wide before Messi completed his redemption, firing Gonzalo Montiel’s cut-back against the underside of the crossbar and over the line despite another touch from Shobeir.
With momentum fully on Argentina’s side, Fernandez delivered the decisive blow in stoppage time, thumping home a header from Lautaro Martinez’s cross to complete one of the most dramatic comebacks of the tournament.
Argentina’s relief was evident at the final whistle as their hopes of retaining the World Cup—and extending Messi’s farewell campaign—remained alive.
AFP
