In what may already be the defining match of Lionel Messi's final World Cup, Argentina came back from two goals down with eleven minutes remaining to beat Egypt 3-2 at Atlanta Stadium. Three goals in thirteen minutes — Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernandez in rapid succession — completed one of the most dramatic comebacks in World Cup knockout history. Egypt, who had looked set to produce the upset of the tournament, were left shattered. Argentina advance to the quarter-finals to face Switzerland or Colombia. Messi now has eight goals at this World Cup — the most of any player in the tournament.
THE FIRST HALF: EGYPT STUN ARGENTINA
For only the first time in this tournament, Argentina were behind. Yasser Ibrahim — Egypt's centre-back — got above Molina from a left-sided cross in the 15th minute and powered a header past Emi Martinez. Egypt 1-0 Argentina. Atlanta Stadium held its breath.
Argentina's response was immediate but initially wasteful. Messi won a penalty in the 21st minute — only for goalkeeper Moustafa Shobeir to produce a brilliant low save diving to his right to deny the captain. Messi's second missed penalty of the tournament, his fourth career World Cup penalty miss from eight attempts. Shobeir was not done. He kept out efforts from Mac Allister and Lautaro Alvarez too — three saves from three Argentine penalty-area chances in a frantic ten-minute spell. Messi also struck the post from a left-footed free kick that curled around the wall.
Egypt had a second goal chalked off by VAR. Zico appeared to score on the counter after Salah won the ball — but a foul on Lisandro Martinez at the other end of the field had been missed in real time, and the play was reviewed. The goal was disallowed. Controversy.
THE SECOND HALF: EGYPT DOUBLE THEIR LEAD
Zico was not to be denied. In the 67th minute, Egypt broke on the counter — Salah motoring down the field, finding Hassan on the right wing, who cut it back across the penalty box for Zico to finish. Egypt 2-0 Argentina. Scaloni covered his face with his hands on the touchline. The crowd inside Atlanta Stadium fell into a surreal quiet.
THE COMEBACK: THREE GOALS IN THIRTEEN MINUTES
What followed was Messi at his most elemental. Argentina, needing two goals in eleven minutes, refused to fold. Nico Gonzalez came on as Scaloni threw everything at Egypt. In the 79th minute, Messi swung a cross from the right and Romero — arriving at the back post — headed emphatically into the net. 2-1. Life.
Four minutes later, in the 83rd minute, Messi equalised in the most extraordinary fashion. A left-footed volley from the right side of the box — struck first time — bounced off the crossbar and into the goal. 2-2. Messi ran to the corner flag. Atlanta Stadium erupted. The Golden Boot lead was his — eight goals in five matches, ahead of Haaland and Mbappe on seven.
Then, in the 90th minute plus two, the winner arrived on the counter-attack. Mo Salah turned the ball over. Argentina broke at pace. Lautaro Martinez drove forward and clipped a cross into the box. Enzo Fernandez arrived late and headed into the far corner. 3-2. Scaloni was in disbelief. The Argentina bench poured onto the field. Egypt's staff were furious — a red card was issued to a member of Egypt's coaching staff after the final whistle, and further cards were brandished towards the bench in the chaos that followed.
LINEUPS
Argentina (4-3-3): Emi Martinez; Molina, Romero, L. Martinez, Tagliafico; Mac Allister, De Paul, Enzo Fernandez; Almada, Lautaro Martinez, Messi. Subs: Nico Gonzalez (for De Paul), N. Gonzalez (for Tagliafico).
Egypt (4-3-3): Shobeir; Ashraf, Ibrahim, Hegazi, Hamdi; Attia, Elneny, Mataeb; Hassan, Zico, Salah. Subs: Zizo, Lasheen.
THE NUMBERS
Messi: 8 goals in 5 matches, the most of any player at this World Cup. Scored in a record sixth straight World Cup knockout match. Two missed penalties in this tournament. Four career World Cup penalty misses from eight attempts. Argentina xG: 2.8. Egypt xG: 0.98. Argentina produced 19 shots to Egypt's five.
WHAT IT MEANS
Argentina are through to the quarter-finals where they face Switzerland or Colombia in Kansas City on Saturday. Egypt exit having come agonisingly close to the greatest result in their World Cup history. They held the defending champions at 2-0 with eleven minutes to play. Shobeir's goalkeeping was exceptional. This was a match that will be talked about for decades. And through it all, Messi delivered. Again.
