Argentina rally past Egypt to keep Messi’s World Cup run alive
Argentina overcame a 2-0 deficit in Atlanta to beat Egypt 3-2 and reach the World Cup quarterfinals, Al Jazeera and AFP reported.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
3 min read
Argentina came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta and move into the World Cup quarterfinals, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. The result kept the defending champions alive and extended Lionel Messi’s World Cup career after Egypt had moved close to a major upset.
According to Al Jazeera and AFP, Egypt led through goals by Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko, with Messi also denied from the penalty spot during Argentina’s troubled start. Argentina then scored three times in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time, with Cristian Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernandez turning the match around.
Al Jazeera and AFP reported that Argentina will face either Colombia or Switzerland in the last eight on Saturday. The win followed another tense match for Lionel Scaloni’s side, which had beaten Cape Verde 3-2 in the round of 32.
Egypt seize control
Scaloni changed his starting lineup after the Cape Verde match, bringing in Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Argentina still began slowly, and Egypt went ahead when Marwan Attia’s deep delivery reached Yasser at the far post for a headed finish.
Argentina were given a chance to respond five minutes later after Haissem Hassan fouled Tagliafico in the area, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Messi’s penalty was saved by Mostafa Shobeir, who dived left, leaving Messi with four misses from eight non-shootout World Cup penalties and two missed penalties in this tournament.
Shobeir continued to keep Argentina out, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. The Egypt goalkeeper stopped a close-range header from Alexis Mac Allister and later kept out an Alvarez shot aimed toward the bottom corner.
Egypt thought they had scored again on the hour after Mohamed Salah sent Ziko through to lift the ball over Emi Martinez, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. The goal was ruled out after a VAR review for a foul on Lisandro Martinez near Egypt’s penalty area at the start of the move, a decision that angered Egypt.
Egypt did double their lead soon after, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Salah drove another counterattack, found Hassan, and Ziko finished from Hassan’s cross to put Egypt 2-0 up.
Late turnaround
Argentina’s comeback began when Romero’s header crossed the line despite Shobeir’s attempt to save it, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. Messi then helped create another chance for Lautaro Martinez, whose header went wide.
Messi equalised seven minutes from time after Gonzalo Montiel played the ball back to him, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. His half-volley struck the bar and went in after Shobeir got a touch, giving Messi his 21st World Cup goal and his eighth goal of the tournament.
Al Jazeera and AFP reported that the goal also made it nine straight World Cup matches in which Messi has scored and put him back in front in the Golden Boot race. Fernandez then completed the comeback two minutes into stoppage time, heading in a cross from Lautaro Martinez.
Egypt remained upset after several decisions went against them, and a member of their coaching staff was sent off after Argentina’s winning goal, Al Jazeera and AFP reported. Messi was tearful after the final whistle as he celebrated with teammates.
Scaloni gave a brief post-match interview, according to Al Jazeera and AFP. “I can’t look up, I’m sorry. I’m really emotional right now,” he said. “What a group of players, man. That’s it, I’ve got to go.”
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.