Argentina survive Egypt scare, reach World Cup quarter-finals with stunning comeback

Defending champions Argentina produced one of the great World Cup comebacks to beat Egypt 3-2 in a Round of 16 classic at Atlanta Stadium, scoring three times in the final 11 minutes to overturn a two-goal deficit and reach the quarterfinals.

Egypt stunned the holders inside the opening quarter of an hour when defender Yasser Ibrahim rose highest to head them into the lead.

Argentina’s misery deepened before the interval when Lionel Messi saw a penalty saved by Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, who produced further stops to deny Mac Allister and Alvarez as the first half ended goalless beyond Ibrahim’s opener.

Egypt then doubled their advantage in the 67th minute through Mostafa Zico, who capitalised on fine work down the right from Hassan to beat the Argentine defence.

The North Africans had earlier had a second Zico goal chalked off by VAR for a foul on Lisandro Martinez in the buildup, and would later feel aggrieved that a similar challenge on Mohamed Salah was not penalised in the winning goal’s buildup.

With just over ten minutes remaining and Argentina staring down an early exit, captain Messi turned provider, crossing for Cristian Romero to head home in the 79th minute.

Four minutes later, Messi got his name on the scoresheet himself, driving a first-time finish past Shobeir to level the match at 2-2 and erase the memory of his earlier penalty miss.

The drama was not finished. Deep into stoppage time, substitute Enzo Fernandez rose to head in the winner from a Lautaro Martinez cross, sparking wild celebrations among the Argentine players and staff and sending Egypt crashing out at the last-16 stage. Messi was seen in tears as the final whistle confirmed his side’s escape.

The result extends Argentina’s World Cup title defence and sets up a quarterfinal clash against the winner of Switzerland and Colombia as they continue their pursuit of back-to-back titles.