Argentina Stun Egypt With Incredible Comeback to Reach Quarter-finals

Darwin, 08 July :Argentina produced a sensational comeback to defeat Egypt 3-2 and book their place in the FIFA World Cup quarter-finals.

Trailing by two goals, the three-time world champions scored three times in just 13 minutes to complete a remarkable turnaround. They will face either Switzerland or Colombia in the last eight.

Egypt made the perfect start, taking the lead in the 15th minute through Yasser Ibrahim, whose powerful header from a Marwan Attia corner found the bottom-right corner.

Argentina had a golden opportunity to equalize six minutes later after Nicolás Tagliafico was fouled inside the box, but Lionel Messi’s left-footed penalty was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobier.

Messi has now missed four of his eight World Cup penalties, including his second miss of this tournament after failing to convert against Austria in the group stage. Shobier, who had also denied Iran’s Mehdi Taremi from the spot earlier in the tournament, produced several more outstanding saves to preserve Egypt’s lead before halftime.

Argentina dominated possession after the break but struggled to break down Egypt’s disciplined defense. Egypt thought they had doubled their lead on a counterattack through Zizo, but the goal was ruled out for a foul earlier in the move.

The second goal finally arrived in the 67th minute when Zizo finished off another devastating counterattack after being set up by Hassan, giving Egypt a commanding 2-0 advantage.

Argentina responded immediately. Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute, heading home Messi’s cross despite Shobier getting a hand to the ball.

Five minutes later, Messi leveled the score with a powerful strike that went in off the underside of the crossbar after brushing the goalkeeper. It was his eighth goal of the tournament and extended his remarkable streak to nine consecutive World Cup matches with a goal.

The dramatic comeback was completed moments later when Enzo Fernández headed home Lautaro Martínez’s cross to make it 3-2. Egypt appealed for a foul during the build-up, but the goal stood, sealing an unforgettable victory for Argentina and a place in the quarter-finals.