Lionel Messi sparks stunning comeback as Argentina break Egypt hearts to stay in World Cup
ARGENTINA 3-2 EGYPT: The 2022 world champions looked set to be falling to one of the all-time World Cup shocks only to stage a heroic late recovery to seal their spot in the quarter-finals
A Lionel Messi inspired Argentina staged one of the all-time World Cup rescue acts by scoring three goals in 14 minutes to beat Egypt in Atlanta.
Argentine icon Messi missed a penalty in the first half but recovered to assist Cristian Romero before emphatically scoring himself to drag his country level. Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez then notched a stoppage-time winner.
The African side had enjoyed a dream start as Yasser Ibrahim headed home the opener. Messi then had a wonderful opportunity to equalise from the penalty spot but saw his effort saved by Mostafa Shobeir.
Egypt thought they had doubled their lead in the second half. Hassan produced a charging run down the right, picked out Mo Salah, who rolled the ball to Ziko.
He dispatched emphatically but his celebrations were ruled out following a VAR review for a foul earlier in the move. But he then had another chance to take acclaim as he thumped home a brilliant second.
Argentina found themselves a foothold with 10 minutes left as Romero headed home from Messi's cross. The latter then stepped up when his nation needed him most with a clinical equaliser. Lionel Scaloni's men then completed the turnaround in stoppage time through Fernandez.
Their victory sees Argentina line up a clash with either Colombia or Switzerland in the last quarter-finals. Egypt in the meantime will reflect on just how they managed to let things slip on a dramatic evening in Atlanta.
Following a promising start, Egypt took an eye-catching lead through defender Ibrahim. The 33-year-old had managed to escape the attention of Lisandro Martinez to nod beyond the despairing grasp of Emi Martinez.
Argentina were then handed a golden chance to haul themselves level as Nicolas Tagliafico was taken down by Haissem Hassan. Having already scored seven goals this World Cup - and positioned himself right at the top of the all-time scoring charts - it was no surprise to see Messi step up.
And it was also not a surprise to see him miss, as Shobeir leapt to his left to parry. The miss now means that the Argentine superstar has failed to convert his last two World Cup penalties and four overall.
Despite that, Argentina should have found themselves level before the break. Alexis Mac Allister saw a header well saved by Shobeir, while the Egypt goalkeeper also produced another fine stop to deny Julian Alvarez a near-certain goal from Tagliafico's cutback.
With Argentina reeling after the break, it looked as though Egypt had taken full advantage. Hassan picked up the ball on the right flank and produced a mazy run to charge down the pitch.
He picked out Salah, who played an inch-perfect pass to Ziko, who converted with alomb. The celebrations were wild but were curtailed by a VAR review that came to the conclusion that Tagliafico had been fouled earlier in the move.
Hassan, Salah and Ziko were not to be denied moments later though. A lethal counter attack saw the trio combine again, with Hassan's low centre picking out Ziko, who thumped home to send the Egyptian crowd into raptures.
Argentina needed some serious inspiration heading into the final moments - and they got some. Messi tossed in a brilliant ball that was headed home by Romero to reduce the deficit to one.
The eight-time winner then stepped up once again just minutes later. Following a scramble in the Egypt penalty area, the ball fell to Messi, who thumped home via touch off of the goalkeeper and the crossbar.
Things then got even better for the South Americans in stoppage time, with Fernandez nodding home to secure a stunning victory which sees their time as world champions just about continue.
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