Messi orchestrates stunning Argentina comeback to reach World Cup quarterfinals
Argentina mounted an extraordinary late resurgence, overcoming a two-goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic World Cup round-of-16 clash in Atlanta. The victory, secured by a stoppage-time header from Enzo Fernandez, propelled the reigning champions into the quarterfinals, largely thanks to the heroics of captain Lionel Messi, who provided an assist and scored the equalizer after an early penalty miss. The match, played before 68,239 spectators at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, saw Messi visibly emotional at the final whistle.
Egypt had appeared poised for a major upset, leading for over an hour. Yasser Ibrahim’s header put them ahead, and Zico doubled their advantage midway through the second half, leaving Argentina seemingly on the brink of elimination. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan later expressed frustration, feeling his team was unfairly treated. Zico also had an earlier goal disallowed due to a foul on Lisandro Martinez.
However, the match turned in the final stages. Messi, despite missing his second penalty of the tournament and struggling for much of the game, provided the assist for Cristian Romero’s header in the 79th minute. He then leveled the score himself, lashing the ball past Mostafa Shobeir, marking his first assist of this World Cup and his sixth consecutive knockout stage goal in the competition. Messi’s repositioning to the right wing after Lautaro Martinez entered the game provided him with crucial space to operate.
With momentum firmly shifted, Enzo Fernandez completed the remarkable turnaround, heading in Lautaro Martinez’s cross to seal the 3-2 victory. The dramatic conclusion kept Argentina’s World Cup journey alive, with Messi at the heart of an unlikely comeback that saw him overcome his own struggles to lead his team through.
Sources