Argentina looked finished. Trailing Egypt 2-0 with just 11 minutes left in Tuesday's World Cup Round of 16 match in Atlanta, the defending champions rallied for three goals in the final stretch to escape with a stunning 3-2 win and a spot in the quarterfinals.
Egypt struck first when defender Yasser Ibrahim headed in a cross in the 15th minute. Argentina had a chance to answer immediately when Lionel Messi stepped up to a penalty kick in the 21st minute - but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir guessed correctly and saved it, making Messi the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties in a single tournament. Messi also hit the post before Egypt's Mostafa Zico doubled the lead in the 67th minute.
Then came the collapse Egypt never saw coming. Cristian Romero headed in a Messi assist in the 79th minute. Four minutes later, Messi buried a half-volley to level the score 2-2 - his eighth goal of the tournament and a record-extending 21st World Cup goal, tying a mark set by Guillermo Stabile nearly a century ago. In the second minute of stoppage time, Enzo Fernández headed home the winner to complete the comeback.
"This is the World Cup for you," Messi said afterward, visibly emotional. "It wasn't easy to come back from two goals down. But as I always say, this group never gives up."
Fernández, who scored the decisive goal, pointed to something beyond the scoreline. "Being able to experience moments like this, honestly, I thank God, I'm privileged," he said, crediting his teammates and coaching staff for the win.
Argentina, chasing its first back-to-back World Cup title since Brazil in 1958-62, advances to face the winner of Switzerland-Colombia on Saturday in Kansas City.
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