Atlanta, United States- Argentina produced one of the most dramatic comebacks in World Cup history to beat Egypt 3-2 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and book their place in the quarter-finals. Egypt looked set for a famous victory after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko had given them a two-goal lead. Argentina were on the brink of elimination, but an astonishing late rally saw Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernández all find the net to complete a remarkable turnaround. Messi had earlier seen a first-half penalty saved, yet the captain inspired his side's recovery when everything seemed lost. Argentina will now face the winners of Switzerland and Colombia for a place in the semi-finals.
La Albiceleste have gradually lost momentum as the tournament has progressed. They began with three wins from three in a favourable group, with Messi chasing yet more goals on the biggest stage. Their narrow escape against Cape Verde in the previous round, however, served as a warning. Lionel Scaloni's players knew another performance of that nature could prove costly, and Egypt exposed many of the same weaknesses. The North Africans were the better side for long periods, while Argentina had to rely on pride, individual brilliance – above all from Messi – and their vast experience to survive another hugely uncomfortable knockout tie against opponents they had been expected to beat.
Egypt made the brighter start and took the lead after already threatening in similar fashion minutes earlier. In the 14th minute, the Pharaohs worked a short corner before Marwan Attia delivered an inviting cross from the right and Yasser Ibrahim powered a superb header beyond Emiliano Martínez.
Argentina responded immediately. Just four minutes later, Ahmed Hassan brought down Nicolás Tagliafico inside the penalty area and the referee pointed to the spot. Messi stepped up, but Hamza Alaa Shobeir guessed correctly and produced an excellent save to preserve Egypt's advantage.
The young Egyptian goalkeeper continued to frustrate the world champions. He made another outstanding stop to deny Alexis Mac Allister's header before the woodwork came to Egypt's rescue from a brilliantly struck Messi free-kick. The Argentina captain also fired narrowly wide, while Julián Álvarez was denied once again by the inspired Shobeir.
After the interval, Argentina continued to dominate possession in search of an equaliser. Rodrigo De Paul first shot tamely at the goalkeeper before blazing another effort over the crossbar. Then came the moment that seemed to decide the tie. During another desperate Argentine attack, Lisandro Martínez lost possession and Egypt broke forward through Hassan, whose pass released Mohamed Salah before Mostafa Ziko finished clinically. The celebrations were cut short by a VAR review, which ruled the goal out for a foul on Martínez earlier in the move.
Egypt refused to be discouraged. Just nine minutes later they produced an almost identical counter-attack, this time through the middle. Salah surged forward before feeding Hassan, who squared for Ziko to make it 2-0. This time the goal stood.
Argentina were reeling. With elimination looming, their centre-backs pushed forward like strikers and the full-backs became wingers. It was in that moment of chaos that Messi's authority emerged. The captain produced a perfectly weighted delivery for Cristian Romero, who headed home to give Argentina hope.
That goal transformed the match completely. Messi took control, driving at the Egyptian defence and almost levelling moments later with another dazzling run. The equaliser soon arrived. Another dangerous delivery into the penalty area caused panic, and after several ricochets the ball fell kindly for Messi, who calmly swept home to make it 2-2. Mercedes-Benz Stadium erupted as thousands of Argentina supporters celebrated what had seemed impossible only minutes earlier.
Egypt still had one final opportunity to hold on. Deep into stoppage time they committed numbers forward, looking to win the match in Argentina's half. Instead, that ambition proved their undoing. Julián Álvarez dispossessed Salah before launching a rapid counter-attack. Lautaro Martínez sprinted down the right and delivered a superb cross that Enzo Fernández met with a perfectly guided header to complete one of the greatest comebacks the World Cup has witnessed. Egypt appealed for a foul in the build-up, but the officials waved away their protests.
Argentina experienced every possible emotion over the course of ninety minutes, moving from the despair of imminent elimination to the euphoria of an unforgettable victory. Yet beneath the celebrations remain genuine concerns. La Albiceleste have lost much of the fluency that characterised the early stages of the tournament just as the biggest tests lie ahead. If Scaloni's side are to defend their world title, they will almost certainly have to overcome opponents who currently appear in stronger form, with England, Spain and France all looking formidable. On this occasion, however, Argentina rediscovered the one quality every champion requires: the ability to survive when defeat seems inevitable.
Photos by Walid Ibrahim / JNA Press
