ATLANTA — Lionel Messi led a stunning Argentina rally as the defending champions came from 2-0 down with 11 minutes left in regulation to beat Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday and book a place in the World Cup quarterfinals.
Argentina’s comeback kept alive its attempt to become the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962. The victory also sent Argentina into a quarterfinal on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.
Egypt had put Argentina on the brink through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, and the match also featured a disallowed Egypt goal after a video review, plus a first-half Messi penalty that was saved by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
How Egypt built a 2-0 lead in Atlanta
Egypt struck first in the 15th minute when Ibrahim got ahead of Lisandro Martinez to meet Marwan Attia’s cross and head into the bottom corner.
Argentina had a quick chance to respond when Haissem Hassan tripped Nicolas Tagliafico in the box and referee François Letexier awarded a penalty. Messi stepped up, but Shobeir dived to his left to block the shot. It was Messi’s second missed penalty of the tournament after also failing from the spot against Austria in the group stage.
Messi later hit the post in the first half, and Shobeir produced another key save to deny Julian Alvarez from close range as Egypt held its advantage.
In the second half, Egypt thought it had doubled its lead when Zico finished off a sweeping move, but celebrations ended when video review confirmed a foul earlier in the attack and the goal was disallowed.
Egypt did get its second in the 67th minute from a similar break, and this time Zico’s effort counted to make it 2-0. With time running out, Argentina’s tournament looked in serious danger.
Argentina’s late surge turns the tie
Argentina’s comeback began in the 79th minute when Cristian Romero scored with a header to cut the deficit to 2-1.
Four minutes later, Messi delivered again. He scored in the 83rd minute to level the match at 2-2, recording his eighth goal of the tournament and his record-extending 21st goal at the World Cup.
Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround in injury time with the winning goal to make it 3-2, sealing a dramatic escape for the defending champions.
What the result means and what comes next
The win sends Argentina into the quarterfinals, where it will play Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. For much of the match, it appeared Argentina might be headed for a painful exit in what the AP report noted could be the last of Messi’s six World Cups, but the late goals flipped the storyline.
Fernandez credited Argentina’s resilience after scoring the stoppage-time winner, saying the team “never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity.” Alvarez echoed that sentiment, saying Argentina “always manage to get something more by fighting until the end,” even when “we looked a bit beaten” at 2-0 down.
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni described his emotions after the final whistle, calling it “a phenomenal group of players.” Messi was described as being in tears after the match.
On the Egypt side, Hassan said he believed his team was treated unfairly and said he would not watch any further matches at this year’s World Cup.
