Lionel Messi produced another defining World Cup performance as Argentina recovered from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic last-16 encounter, sealing a place in the quarter-finals with an injury-time winner after appearing destined for elimination.
Egypt stunned the defending champions by making the most of their first opportunity of the match. Yasser Ibrahim rose highest to power home a header from a cleverly worked corner in the 15th minute, giving the Pharaohs an unexpected advantage.
Argentina were handed an immediate chance to respond when Haissem Hassan conceded a penalty with a rash challenge inside the area. However, goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir preserved Egypt’s lead by denying Messi from the spot, recording his second penalty save of the tournament and condemning the Argentine captain to another rare World Cup miss from 12 yards.
Despite the setback, Argentina dominated possession and created a succession of chances before half-time. Alexis Mac Allister saw a close-range header brilliantly kept out by Shobeir, while Messi came within inches of making amends as his curling free-kick struck the woodwork. Julián Álvarez was also denied by another outstanding reflex save from the Egyptian goalkeeper after meeting Nicolás Tagliafico’s inviting cross.
Argentina continued to press after the interval but remained vulnerable on the counter-attack. Mohamed Salah briefly looked set to race clear before play was halted for a foul, and moments later Egypt thought they had doubled their lead through Mostafa Ziko, only for VAR to rule the effort out for an infringement in the build-up.
The warning went unheeded.
Salah was once again central to Egypt’s attacking threat, releasing Hassan with a precise pass before the winger squared for Ziko, who this time made no mistake to put the underdogs 2-0 ahead and leave Argentina facing a shock exit.
The holders finally found a route back into the contest in the 79th minute when Cristian Romero powered home a header from Messi’s pinpoint delivery, setting up a tense finale.
Messi then carved open the Egyptian defence with a trademark dribble, only for Lautaro Martínez to squander a clear opportunity. The captain took matters into his own hands moments later, firing a fierce strike from the edge of the area that proved too powerful for Shobeir to stop, levelling the match and extending his remarkable run to nine consecutive World Cup scoring appearances.
With both sides pushing for victory rather than extra time, the closing stages became increasingly open. Egypt appealed in vain for a late penalty, but Argentina delivered the decisive blow deep into stoppage time when Martínez surged into space and crossed for Enzo Fernández, who headed home the dramatic winner to complete one of the tournament’s most remarkable comebacks.
Argentina have now survived successive knockout scares and remain on course to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup. They will meet either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals.
For Egypt, the defeat will be especially painful after holding a two-goal advantage against the world champions. The Pharaohs exit the tournament having suffered only their second defeat in nine international matches, but their World Cup dream ended in heartbreaking fashion.
