Argentina stun Egypt with dramatic comeback to reach World Cup quarter -finals

Argentina produced a stunning late comeback to defeat Egypt 3-2 and secure their place in the World Cup quarter-finals, keeping Lionel Messi's tournament dream alive.

Argentina produced a stunning late comeback to defeat Egypt 3-2 and secure their place in the World Cup quarter-finals, keeping Lionel Messi’s tournament dream alive. The holders looked down and out when goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko, either side of Messi having a penalty saved, put Egypt in sight of a historic victory in Atlanta. However, Cristian Romero’s header sparked the comeback as Argentina struck three times in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time.

Messi smashed home the equaliser to score for a ninth consecutive World Cup game and retake the lead for the Golden Boot with eight goals this tournament. Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround with a superb header two minutes into stoppage time. At the end, Messi shed tears of joy as he embraced his teammates. Egypt were left furious after a number of controversial calls went against them, including a disallowed goal early in the second half, and a member of their coaching staff was red-carded in the aftermath of the winning goal.

Argentina had the chance to level five minutes after Egypt’s opener when Nicolas Tagliafico was wiped out inside the box. However, Messi’s penalty was saved by Mostafa Shobeir, meaning the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has now missed four of his eight non-shootout penalties at World Cups. The penalty save was just the start of Shobeir’s inspired performance, as he also denied Alexis Mac Allister from point-blank range.

Egypt thought they had doubled their lead on the hour mark after a brilliant counter-attack, with Mohamed Salah playing in Mostafa Ziko, who dinked the ball perfectly over the onrushing Emiliano Martinez. However, Egyptian celebrations were cut short by a hugely controversial VAR intervention for a foul at the start of the build-up. The decision finally fired up the Argentine crowd, but they were silenced once more moments later when another blistering Egyptian break led to Ziko’s second goal.

Argentina looked like a beaten side, with Messi among those with heads bowed during the second-half drinks break. Yet Romero’s header sparked a remarkable revival. Moments later, a dazzling run by Messi set up Lautaro Martinez, who headed just wide, before Messi had his moment of redemption seven minutes from time. Gonzalo Montiel fed the ball back for his captain to strike sweetly on the half volley, with the ball cannoning in off the bar. Then Fernandez’s bullet header from Martinez’s cross completed the fightback, and Argentina’s relief was on full display after the final whistle. Argentina will face either Colombia or Switzerland in the quarter-finals on Saturday.