The latest
Argentina produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the World Cup, overturning a two-goal deficit in the closing stages to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta.
Egypt looked set for one of the tournament’s biggest upsets after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, but Cristian Romero pulled one back before Lionel Messi equalised four minutes later. Enzo Fernández then completed the turnaround in stoppage time, sending the defending champions through after a match dominated by VAR controversy.
It was Argentina’s second straight narrow knockout escape against an African team, after they also beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32.
Details
- Fast Egyptian start: Egypt stunned the holders after Yasser Ibrahim headed in Marwan Attia’s corner in the 15th minute, putting Argentina behind for the first time at the tournament.
- Shobeir shines: Goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved Messi’s first-half penalty and produced several outstanding saves to keep Egypt ahead for most of the match.
- VAR controversy: Egypt thought they had doubled their lead before VAR ruled out Mostafa Zico’s goal for a foul by Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martínez earlier in the move. The decision became the defining moment of the match.
- Egypt move ahead: Zico eventually made it 2-0 in the 67th minute after another quick break, leaving Egypt within touching distance of a historic World Cup quarter-final.
- Late collapse: Argentina responded in the final 11 minutes, with Messi setting up Romero before scoring the equaliser himself. Fernández then headed in the winner in stoppage time.
- Egypt protests: Head coach Hossam Hassan accused officials of injustice after the match, arguing that the disallowed goal and a later penalty appeal before Argentina’s winner were handled inconsistently. He also suggested the tournament wanted to keep Messi and Argentina in contention.
- Refereeing debate: Analysts were divided after the match. Some argued the VAR intervention correctly identified a foul in the build-up, while others questioned why later incidents were not reviewed in the same way.
- Messi delivers again: Despite missing his second penalty of the tournament, Messi finished the night with an assist and his eighth goal of the competition.
- Historic comeback: Argentina became the first team to recover from a two-goal deficit after the 75th minute and still win a World Cup knockout match in normal time.
- African test: Argentina have now survived back-to-back 3-2 knockout matches against African teams, first Cape Verde and now Egypt.
- Swiss progress: Switzerland completed the quarter-final line-up by beating Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless draw in Vancouver.
- Next opponent: Gregor Kobel saved Cucho Hernández’s spot kick before Ruben Vargas scored the winner, setting up a quarter-final against Argentina.
What to watch
- Argentina face Switzerland in the quarter-finals after the Swiss eliminated Colombia on penalties.
- Morocco are now the only African team left in the top eight. The quarter-final field is made up of six UEFA teams, Morocco from Africa, and Argentina as South America’s last remaining side.
