Argentina staged a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to avoid a shocking exit against Egypt, winning 3-2 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals and extend Lionel Messi's tournament career. The holders appeared down and out after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko, either side of Messi having a penalty saved, put the Pharaohs on the brink of a historic victory in Atlanta.
First-Half Struggles for Argentina
Lionel Scaloni attempted to refresh a side that looked exhausted in the closing stages of a 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the last 32. Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez came into the starting lineup, but Argentina got off to another slow start. Marwan Attia's deep cross to the back post was powered home by Yasser Ibrahim to give Egypt the lead.
Argentina had a chance to level five minutes later when Tagliafico was wiped out by Haissem Hassan inside the box. However, Messi's penalty was tentative, and Mostafa Shobeir flew to his left to save. This marked Messi's fourth missed non-shootout penalty at World Cups, making him the first player to miss two in a single tournament after failing against Austria in the group stage.
Shobeir's Heroics and Controversial VAR Call
Shobeir continued his inspired performance, parrying Alexis Mac Allister's powerful header from point-blank range and producing one of the saves of the tournament to deny Alvarez's shot. Egypt thought they had doubled their lead on the hour mark after a brilliant counter-attack. Mohamed Salah played in Mostafa Ziko, who dinked the ball over the onrushing Emi Martinez. However, celebrations were cut short by a controversial VAR intervention for a foul on Lisandro Martinez at the start of the build-up.
The decision 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 beaten, with Messi among those with heads bowed during the second-half drinks break.
Remarkable Comeback in Final Minutes
Argentina struck three times in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time. Cristian Romero's header sparked the revival, with Shobeir just failing to keep it out. Moments later, a dazzling run by Messi teed up Lautaro Martinez, who headed just wide. Messi then 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. Shobeir got a touch but couldn't keep it out as the ball cannoned off the bar for Messi's 21st World Cup goal. Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround with a superb header two minutes into stoppage time from Lautaro Martinez's cross.
At the end, Messi shed tears of joy as he embraced his teammates. Egypt were left furious after the controversial calls, and a member of their coaching staff was red-carded in the aftermath of the winning goal. Despite a second almighty scare against African opposition, Argentina will face either Colombia or Switzerland in the last eight on Saturday.
