Messi Fires Argentina Into Quarters With Late Comeback, 3-2

Argentina Get well From Two Objectives Down in Atlanta

Egypt, comfortably the weaker aspect on paper, made essentially the most dramatic doable begin to this knockout tie. Yasser Ibrahim struck within the fifteenth minute to place the Pharaohs forward, the primary time Argentina had trailed on the 2026 World Cup and Messi missed a penalty shortly after, with goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir diving to his left to maintain the rating at 1-0. Argentina pressed laborious for the remainder of the primary half however couldn’t discover a approach by, with Messi additionally putting the publish.

Within the second half, Egypt doubled their benefit by Mostafa Zico’s counterattack aim within the 67th minute, although Hossam Hassan’s aspect had an earlier strike dominated out by VAR. At 2-0 down with the clock working, Lionel Scaloni’s aspect mounted an inconceivable late cost. Cristian Romero pulled one again within the 79th minute assisted by Messi, earlier than Messi himself levelled within the 83rd with a deflected effort that crossed the road off the underside of the crossbar.

With additional time beckoning, Enzo Fernandez headed in a cross from Lautaro Martinez within the second minute of stoppage time to finish the turnaround. Egypt’s bench erupted in protest, believing a foul preceded the counter, and the fallout noticed a number of late playing cards issued to Egyptian gamers and workers.

VAR Blow, Missed Penalty, Then Three in Eleven Minutes

Messi’s saved penalty within the twenty first minute was a pivotal failure, his second spot-kick miss at this match that allowed Egypt to hold their one-goal lead into the break. VAR disallowed a Zico aim earlier within the second half, denying Egypt what would have been a 2-0 lead sooner, however his 67th-minute strike on the counter stood and appeared to seal it.

Romero’s header within the 79th minute began the comeback, Messi’s deflected equaliser within the 83rd modified the momentum utterly, and Fernandez’s stoppage-time header closed it out earlier than Egypt might regroup.

Messi Leads Golden Boot Race With Report-Breaking Night time

Lionel Messi completed on the mistaken finish of each a missed penalty and a publish within the first half, but nonetheless decided the result. His help for Romero’s 79th-minute aim sparked the comeback, and his deflected 83rd-minute strike, his eighth aim of the match put Argentina stage.

That tally strikes him away from Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland on the prime of the Golden Boot standings. The aim additionally prolonged his document of scoring in 9 consecutive World Cup matches, now spanning 13 objectives again to Argentina’s 2022 title run.

Self-discipline Issues and Quarterfinal Implications

Egypt’s ultimate minutes have been chaotic: 4 Egyptian gamers have been booked within the ninetieth minute, with Hassan Hassan receiving a second yellow and being despatched off, and a crimson card was additionally issued to a member of Egypt’s teaching workers. That indiscipline mars what was an excellent match debut at this stage for the Pharaohs, who made historical past just by reaching the spherical of 16.

For Argentina, the quarterfinal place is secured however Scaloni can be involved by the defensive lapses that allowed a significantly weaker aspect to guide 2-0 so late.

The defending champions will be taught their subsequent opponent from the Colombia vs. Switzerland match, with the quarterfinal fixture scheduled in Kansas Metropolis. Any suspensions carried from this match’s crimson card on the Egypt bench don’t have an effect on Argentina’s squad, however Scaloni should deal with the vulnerability on the again earlier than dealing with a stronger opponent within the subsequent spherical.