Argentina scored three goals in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time to beat Egypt 3-2 in the Round of 16 on Tuesday in Atlanta. It was the kind of match that looked over by halftime and turned into one of the tournament’s biggest turnarounds by full time. Argentina now moves on to face either Switzerland in the World Cup quarterfinals on Saturday.
How Egypt Built a Two-Goal Lead
Egypt started fast and never looked rattled. Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring from a deep cross by Marwan Attia, powering it home from close range. Argentina had a chance to respond almost immediately when Nicolas Tagliafico was fouled inside the box, but Messi’s penalty was soft, and goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir guessed right, diving left to save it.
That miss marked the second penalty Messi has failed to convert this tournament, and the fourth of his career at World Cups outside a shootout.
Shobeir wasn’t finished. He denied Alexis Mac Allister’s close-range header, then pulled off one of the saves of the tournament to stop Julian Alvarez from scoring. Egypt doubled their lead soon after through Mostafa Ziko, who finished off a fast break started by Mohamed Salah.
A VAR review briefly threatened to wipe out the goal over a foul on Lisandro Martinez during the buildup, but the goal stood. Salah and Egypt struck again minutes later, this time with Salah setting up Haissem Hassan, whose cross Ziko turned in for his second of the match.
At that point, Argentina looked defeated. Messi stood with his head down during the drinks break, and the Atlanta crowd had gone quiet.
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Messi and Argentina Turn the Match Around
The comeback started with a header from Cristian Romero that Shobeir got a hand to but couldn’t keep out. Minutes later, Messi ran at the Egyptian defense and set up Lautaro Martinez, who headed just wide. Messi’s own moment came seven minutes from time. Gonzalo Montiel found him with a pass back into the box, and Messi struck it cleanly on the half-volley.
Shobeir got another touch, but the ball came off the crossbar and went in. It was Messi’s 21st World Cup goal and his ninth straight World Cup match with a goal, putting him back at the top of the Golden Boot race with eight for the tournament.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Enzo Fernandez headed in a cross from Lautaro Martinez to complete the comeback. Messi was seen in tears afterward, embracing his teammates as the final whistle confirmed Argentina’s win.
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What Comes Next for Argentina
Egypt’s players and staff were furious by the end. A disallowed goal earlier in the second half and the VAR call on Ziko’s opener added to their frustration, and a member of the Egyptian coaching staff was sent off following the winning goal.
For Argentina, head coach Lionel Scaloni kept his post-match comments brief, saying he was too emotional to speak at length.
Argentina’s win keeps their title defense alive and sets up a quarterfinal clash against Switzerland, who reached the last eight on penalties over Colombia after a scoreless draw earlier the same day.
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