Argentina are celebrating pulling off one of the greatest comebacks in World Cup history. The holders were 2-0 down and just 11 minutes away from a crushing last-16 upset at the hands of Egypt in Atlanta on Tuesday, before scoring three late goals to book their place in the quarter-finals against the odds. Lionel Messi provided the delivery for Cristian Romero’s header to begin the turnaround, then drilling home a half-volley for his eighth goal of the tournament to bring Lionel Scaloni’s side level.
A pulsating tie had been completely turned on its head and all the momentum was suddenly with Argentina, who completed their astonishing fightback in stoppage time when Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez rose to produce an unstoppable header that sparked wild scenes of celebration. Egypt were furious, having felt they should have been awarded a penalty before that last-gasp winner after Julian Alvarez’s challenge on Mohamed Salah and a shirt pull by Alexis Mac Allister on Hamdi Fathy.
Messi was in tears after the full-time whistle as he ensured that his illustrious World Cup career would continue at least for one more game, while long-time Argentina head coach Scaloni was too emotional to conduct his post-match interview on the pitch. Either Switzerland or rivals Colombia now await in the quarter-finals in Kansas City on Saturday, with the winners of that tie meeting Norway or England in the semis on July 15.
Argentina vs Egypt highlights
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Lionel Messi in tears as World Cup career goes on
Lionel Messi in floods of tears, Messi and Enzo Fernandez being thrown repeatedly high into the air by their team-mates - Argentina fans will remember these passionate post-match celebrations for a long, long time.
So much emotion.
The sort of result that dare I say could inspire them to go on and retain their title.
They will have to improve so much though on the first 80 minutes tonight and that dodgy performance against Cape Verde.
How much has it taken out of the tank?
Regardless, the holders will begin as clear favourites again versus either Switzerland or rivals Colombia in the final quarter-final tie at the weekend.
Should Egypt have had penalty before Argentina winner?
I tell you what, despite what I said earlier, that Alvarez challenge on Salah before Fernandez’s last-gasp winner could have easily been a penalty.
It’s soft, but it’s about the same level as that challenge from Marwan Attia on Lisandro Martinez that led to Mostafa Zico’s first effort being ruled out.
That Attia foul was given for treading on Martinez’s foot by the way, rather than pulling his shirt.
You can understand Egypt’s anger.
Full-time
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
How do you even begin to process that?!
One of the all-time greatest World Cup comebacks as the holders go from 2-0 down with just 11 minutes left and staring at a shock end to their title defence in the round of 16, only to turn it around and somehow win in normal time.
Messi the architect, bouncing back from his first-half penalty miss with an assist and the crucial equaliser.
Messi is in tears now as his sixth and surely final World Cup appearances goes on, rescued from the jaws of utter calamity.
Just unbelievable - and what a winner from Fernandez.
Total despair for Egypt, who were so close to reaching the quarter-finals for the first time.
Instead, it’s Argentina who go on to meet either Switzerland or Colombia in Kansas City on Saturday.
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
Egypt have completely lost their heads now, with yellows for Mostafa Shobeir, Hamdi Fathy and Marwan Attia.
Now head coach Hossam Hassan has been booked too.
They cannot understand why they weren’t awarded a penalty before that Fernandez goal.
We haven’t really seen a proper replay. There was a challenge on Salah in there too that was definitely not a penalty.
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
Egypt were furious with the referee there - they felt they should have had a penalty at the other end for a coming together involving Mac Allister.
The goal will stand though.
It’s all kicking off majorly on the touchline and a red card has been brandished at the Egypt bench.
What a game. My word.
GOAL! Argentina 3-2 Egypt | Enzo Fernandez 92'
92 mins: INCREDIBLE!
The roof nearly comes off Atlanta Stadium as Fernandez plants a superb header past Mostafa Shobeir to complete one of the all-time great World Cup comebacks.
I can’t believe what I’m watching.
Argentina 2-2 Egypt
90 mins: Seven minutes of added time signalled.
Will we get a dramatic last-gasp winner, or does extra time loom in Atlanta?
Paredes tackle saves Argentina
90 mins: For all Argentina’s new-found momentum, that is a vital tackle from Paredes to thwart a dangerous Egypt counter-attack.
Egypt have suddenly started to bounce back.
Argentina 2-2 Egypt
The momentum shift is total, with the pro-Argentina crowd now expecting a winner in normal time.
Egypt are creaking hugely, with Mostafa Shobeir punching away a dangerous free-kick.
GOAL! Argentina 2-2 Egypt | Lionel Messi 83'
83 mins: WHO ELSE?!
Messi is the calmest man in Atlanta as he drills in a crisp half-volley to bring the holders level.
Two goals in four minutes has turned this match on its head.
Stunning World Cup drama.