Argentina survived an enormous scare on Tuesday after overturning a two-goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup Round of 16 clash at Atlanta Stadium.
The defending champions scored three times in the final 11 minutes to book their place in the quarter-finals.
Egypt made the brighter start and deservedly took the lead in the 15th minute. Yasser Ibrahim lost his marker from a corner before powering a header beyond Emiliano MartÃnez to give the African side a 1-0 advantage.
Argentina had the perfect chance to equalise five minutes later after winning a penalty. However, Mostafa Shobeir produced a superb save to deny Lionel Messi, who missed from the spot for the second time during the tournament.
Egypt looked set for one of the biggest upsets in FIFA World Cup history when Mohamed Salah launched a quick counterattack in the 67th minute. The forward slipped the ball into the path of Mostafa Zico, who calmly finished to double the Pharaohs’ advantage.
ARGENTINA COMEBACK FOR THE AGES
With their title defence hanging by a thread, Argentina launched an all-out attack. Cristian Romero sparked the comeback in the 79th minute by heading home an accurate delivery from Messi to reduce the deficit.
The equaliser arrived only four minutes later as Messi redeemed himself for his earlier penalty miss. The captain reacted quickest to a loose ball inside the area and smashed his effort into the net to level the score at 2-2.
Enzo Fernández then completed one of the most memorable comebacks of the tournament in stoppage time. The midfielder rose highest to head home Lautaro MartÃnez’s looping cross in the 93rd minute, sending the defending champions through to the last eight.
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WHAT THE RESULT MEANS
The defeat ends Egypt’s impressive campaign and leaves Morocco as the last remaining African nation in the FIFA World Cup. Argentina, meanwhile, advances directly to the quarter-finals and will travel to Kansas City Stadium on Saturday, 11 July.
They will face the winner of the Round of 16 encounter between Switzerland and Colombia as Lionel Scaloni’s men continue their quest to retain the FIFA World Cup trophy.
