Argentina Survive Egypt Test To Reach World Cup Last Quarter Finals
Argentina staged a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to avoid a shocking exit at the hands of Egypt and prolong Lionel Messi’s World Cup career with a dramatic 3-2 victory to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup.
The holders looked down and out when goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko, either side of Messi having a penalty saved, put the Pharaohs 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 to complete a remarkable turnaround.
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, sending the Argentine fans into raptures. At the end, Messi shed tears of joy as he embraced his teammates, visibly overwhelmed by the emotion of the victory.
Egypt Left Furious Over Controversial VAR Decisions
Egypt were left furious after a number of controversial calls went against them, including a disallowed goal early in the second half that would have doubled their lead.
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A member of their coaching staff was red-carded in the aftermath of the winning goal, adding to the frustration of the North African side.
The Pharaohs had taken a deserved lead when Marwan Attia’s deep cross to the back post was powered home by Yasser.
Argentina had the chance to level five minutes later when Tagliafico was wiped out inside the box, but Messi’s penalty was saved by Mostafa Shobeir, adding another chapter to his misery from the spot at World Cups.
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner has now missed four of his eight non-shootout penalties at World Cups and became the first player to miss two in a single tournament.
Shobeir produced a man-of-the-match performance, making several stunning saves including a point-blank parry from Alexis Mac Allister’s header and a spectacular stop to deny Julian Alvarez’s shot from finding the bottom corner.
Egypt thought they had doubled their lead on the hour mark after a brilliant counter-attack, with Mostafa Ziko dinking the ball perfectly over the onrushing Emi Martinez.
However, their celebrations were cut short by a hugely controversial VAR intervention for a foul on Lisandro Martinez just outside the Egypt box at the start of the build-up.
Messi Magic and Fernandez Header Complete Stunning Fightback
The decision finally fired up the majority Argentine crowd, but they were silenced once more moments later by another blistering Egyptian break.
Salah again led the charge before feeding Hassan, and his cross was swept in by Ziko to make it 2-0. Argentina looked like a beaten side with Messi among those whose head was bowed during the second-half drinks break.
Yet Romero’s header — which Shobeir just failed to keep out — sparked a remarkable revival as the defending champions hauled themselves off the canvas. Moments later, a dazzling run by Messi teed up Lautaro Martinez, who headed just wide.
Messi was to have his moment of redemption seven minutes from time when Gonzalo Montiel fed the ball back for his captain to strike sweetly on the half-volley. Shobeir again got a touch but couldn’t keep it out as the ball cannoned in off the bar for Messi’s 21st World Cup goal.
Then Fernandez’s bullet header from Lautaro Martinez’s cross completed the fightback, and Argentina’s relief was on full display after the final whistle.
Despite a second almighty scare against African opposition, Argentina will face either Colombia or Switzerland in the last eight on Saturday. The defending champions live to fight another day, and Messi’s World Cup dream continues.
