Argentina looked on the brink of elimination when goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko, on either side of a Messi penalty miss, put Egypt within touching distance of a historic victory in Atlanta.
But a late surge changed everything. Cristian Romero’s header ignited the comeback, and Argentina struck three times in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time.
Messi smashed home the equalizer, scoring in his ninth consecutive World Cup match and reclaiming the Golden Boot race with his eighth goal of the tournament. Just two minutes into stoppage time, Enzo Fernandez completed the dramatic turnaround with a superb header. At the final whistle, Messi shed tears of joy as he celebrated with his teammates.
Egypt, furious over a string of controversial decisions including a disallowed goal early in the second half and a red card for a member of their coaching staff after the winner were left to rue their missed opportunity. Despite enduring another nerve-shredding encounter with African opposition, Argentina now advances to face either Colombia or Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Saturday.
Lionel Scaloni shuffled his squad after their exhausting 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the previous round, bringing in Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes, and Julian Alvarez. Yet Argentina started sluggishly again. Marwan Attia’s deep cross to the back post found Yasser Ibrahim, who powered home the opening goal.
Five minutes later, Tagliafico was brought down by Haissem Hassan in the box, offering Argentina a lifeline. But Messi’s penalty woes continued—his hesitant strike was saved by Mostafa Shobeir, marking his fourth miss from eight non-shootout World Cup penalties and making him the first player to miss two in a single tournament.
Shobeir’s heroics didn’t end there. He denied Alexis Mac Allister’s close-range header and produced a stunning save to keep out Julian Alvarez. Egypt appeared to double their lead after a brilliant counterattack saw Mohamed Salah set up Ziko to chip over Emi Martinez, but VAR controversially ruled the goal out for a foul in the buildup.
That decision spurred on the Argentine fans, but Egypt struck again moments later. Salah led another quick break, feeding Hassan, whose cross was swept home by Ziko. Argentina looked beaten, with Messi among those with heads bowed during the second-half drinks break.
But Romero’s header, which Shobeir could only parry into the net, sparked a remarkable revival. Moments later, Messi’s dazzling run set up Lautaro Martinez, who narrowly headed wide. Messi’s moment of redemption arrived seven minutes from time, as he volleyed home Gonzalo Montiel’s cutback. Shobeir got a hand to it, but the ball cannoned in off the bar for Messi’s 21st World Cup goal.
Finally, Fernandez’s bullet header from Lautaro Martinez’s cross sealed the comeback. Argentina’s relief and joy were clear at the final whistle, while Egypt were left to lament what might have been.
—AFP
