ATLANTA — Argentina have produced one of the most remarkable comebacks in World Cup history, scoring three unanswered goals in the dying stages to defeat Egypt 3-2 and book their place in the quarter-finals.
The defending champions looked dead and buried when Mostafa Zico doubled Egypt’s lead in the 67th minute at a raucous Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
But Lionel Messi and his teammates refused to surrender, mounting a stunning late revival that will be talked about for generations.
The drama began early when Yasser Ibrahim rose above the Argentine defence in the 15th minute to power home a header from Marwan Attia’s pinpoint cross, sending the Egyptian supporters into raptures.
Argentina’s misery seemed to deepen when Messi saw a first-half penalty brilliantly saved by Mostafa Shobeir after Nicolás Tagliafico had been brought down in the box.
The Egyptian goalkeeper produced a string of outstanding saves, denying Alexis Mac Allister from close range and tipping a Messi free-kick onto the post.
Egypt thought they had doubled their advantage in the 55th minute when Zico finished clinically after a sweeping counter-attack, but the Video Assistant Referee intervened to rule out the goal for a foul by Attia on Lisandro Martínez in the build-up.
The Pharaohs were not to be denied for long, however. In the 67th minute, Mohamed Salah intercepted an Argentine attack and released Haissem Hassan, who cut inside before picking out Zico to fire home emphatically.
With Argentina staring at a shock exit, Cristian Romero sparked the fightback in the 79th minute, heading home from a corner to reduce the deficit.
The Tottenham defender had previously saved his country in the Round of 32 against Cape Verde, and his goal this time gave his nation renewed belief.
As the clock ticked towards the 90-minute mark, Messi produced his moment of genius. The ball was nodded down in a crowded penalty area and the 39-year-old pounced like a predator, lashing an unstoppable strike that cannoned off Shobeir’s hand, struck the crossbar, and crossed the line for the 83rd-minute equaliser.
And in stoppage time, the comeback was complete. Enzo Fernández caught Egypt on the counter-attack, heading home to spark pandemonium among the Argentine faithful and seal a scarcely-believable victory.
”This is what this team is made of,” said an emotional Messi after the match. “We never stop believing. When you wear this shirt, you fight until the final whistle.”
Argentina will now face either France or Mexico in the last eight, with their hopes of retaining the trophy very much alive after a night of high drama in Atlanta.
