Lionel Messi had already missed a penalty and struck the post. The clock was slipping away, Egypt led 2 to 0, and Argentina’s title defense looked close to collapse. Egypt had earned that position with a fearless knockout performance. Yasser Ibrahim headed them in front after 15 minutes. Mostafa Zico later doubled the lead after a fast break that left Argentina scrambling. Argentina looked flat, stretched, and short of answers until the final stretch. Cristian Romero dragged them back into the match in the 79th minute. Messi leveled it 4 minutes later with his 8th goal of the tournament and record extending 21st World Cup goal. Enzo Fernandez then headed in the stoppage time winner, sealing a 3 to 2 comeback that sent Argentina into the last 8 against Switzerland.
Egypt Made Argentina Chase The Game
Egypt’s opening goal came from a move that exposed Argentina’s back line. Marwan Attia delivered from the right, Ibrahim got in front of Lisandro Martinez, and his header found the bottom corner. The lead was deserved because Egypt had started with purpose, not fear.
Argentina had a quick chance to erase the damage when Haissem Hassan tripped Nicolas Tagliafico inside the box. Messi stepped up with the stadium expecting the usual answer. Shobeir read it, dived left, and blocked the penalty. Later in the half, Messi hit the post, and Shobeir denied Julian Alvarez from close range.
Egypt also had a second goal taken away before Zico eventually scored. The disallowed finish came after a sweeping attack, but video review confirmed a foul earlier in the move. Officials ruled that out, yet Egypt kept finding room whenever Argentina lost the ball and pushed too many bodies forward.
Zico Turned A Scare Into A Crisis
Zico got his real reward in the 67th minute. Egypt broke from an Argentina corner with speed and precision. Mohamed Salah carried the counter, Hassan attacked the right side, beat his marker near the byline, and pulled the ball back into the box.
Zico arrived near the 6 yard area and drove the finish past Emiliano Martinez. At that point, Argentina were no longer dealing with a difficult night. They were 23 minutes from a World Cup exit.
Egypt did not need long spells of possession to hurt them. Salah kept dragging defenders into uncomfortable areas. Hassan’s pace forced Argentina to turn and retreat. Zico’s movement punished the gaps between Argentina’s midfield and defense.
Scaloni’s substitutions added fresh legs, with Lautaro Martinez and Nicolas Gonzalez giving Argentina more movement and width. Still, with 11 minutes of regulation time left, Egypt were close to one of the great knockout upsets.
Romero And Messi Pulled Argentina Back From The Edge
Romero cracked the door open in the 79th minute. Messi curled in a delivery from the right, Romero escaped his marker 6 yards out, and his header beat Shobeir despite the goalkeeper getting a hand to it. The goal jolted Argentina awake and forced Egypt to defend deeper.
Messi then struck in the 83rd minute. The move began with him crossing from the right. Egypt failed to clear, Lautaro hooked the ball back from the left, and Alvarez cushioned it into Messi’s path. He hit it quickly from close range, giving Shobeir no time to reset.
Then came Fernandez. Alvarez spread the ball wide to Lautaro on the right, and Lautaro delivered the cross Argentina had been chasing all night. Fernandez timed his run perfectly, attacked the space, and planted a powerful header into the top right corner. “We have a phenomenal group, a group that never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity. We’re always together,” Enzo Fernandez said.
Coming from the player who scored the winner, the line carried weight. Fernandez was not dressing up an ordinary victory. He was describing a team that had spent most of the night looking beaten, then somehow found 3 goals when the tournament seemed to be closing around them.
Egypt Left Angry As Argentina Escaped
Egypt’s frustration did not end with the final whistle. Hossam Hassan argued that his side had been treated unfairly and said Egypt had been better than the reigning champions in everything except the result. He also believed his team should have had a penalty shortly before Argentina broke forward for the winner.
No result that wild will leave everyone satisfied. Egypt had a goal ruled out, a late penalty claim waved away, and a 2 goal lead ripped from their hands in the final minutes. Their anger was not hard to understand.
Argentina survived because their best players still delivered under pressure. Messi’s missed penalty could have defined the night. Instead, his delivery started the comeback, his finish erased the deficit, and Fernandez supplied the header that kept the champions alive.
This was not a clean performance. It was tense, uneven, and full of defensive warnings. Switzerland will have seen a champion that can be attacked in transition and shaken by pace. Scaloni will know that as well. But Argentina are still here, still dangerous, and still chasing another World Cup because, on a night when they looked finished, they refused to go quietly.
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FAQs
Why did Argentina beat Egypt 3 to 2?
Argentina scored 3 late goals after trailing 2 to 0. Romero, Messi, and Enzo Fernandez completed the comeback.
Did Lionel Messi score against Egypt?
Yes. Messi scored Argentina’s equalizer in the 83rd minute after missing a penalty earlier in the match.
Who scored Argentina’s winning goal against Egypt?
Enzo Fernandez scored the winner in stoppage time. He headed in Lautaro Martinez’s cross.
Why were Egypt angry after the match?
Egypt felt key decisions went against them. Hossam Hassan argued that his team deserved more from the match.
Who will Argentina play next?
Argentina will face Switzerland in the World Cup quarterfinals after surviving Egypt in Atlanta.
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