Lionel Messi scored one goal and set up another as Argentina staged a stunning comeback from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 in a World Cup thriller, keeping their title defence alive. The 39-year-old captain, visibly emotional after the match, was thrown into the air by teammates following the final whistle at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
Messi's Record-Breaking Performance
Messi became the first player in World Cup history to score in six successive knockout matches, extending his overall World Cup record to 21 goals, with eight at this tournament – one ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. Despite missing two penalties in the same tournament – another unwanted first – he delivered when it mattered most, first assisting Cristian Romero in the 79th minute before equalising eight minutes from time.
"Never write off Lionel Messi," said Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni, who was too emotional to finish his post-match interview. The victory prolonged Messi's World Cup career and kept Argentina's quest for a third title alive.
Egypt's Brave Display
Egypt, who had never won a World Cup finals match in three previous appearances, came agonisingly close to a historic upset. Yasser Ibrahim headed them ahead in the 15th minute from a Marwan Attia corner, and Mostafa Ziko doubled the lead early in the second half after a superb run by Haissem Hassan and a pass from Mohamed Salah.
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, son of former Egypt international Ahmed Shobeir, produced a brilliant performance, saving a penalty from Messi and making numerous other stops. His father's time-wasting tactics against the Republic of Ireland in 1990 led to the introduction of the back-pass rule.
"We felt there was an injustice," said Egypt manager Hossam Hassan, referring to a VAR decision that disallowed a second goal for a foul in the buildup. "But we showed we belong at this level."
Dramatic Comeback
Argentina trailed 2-0 with 11 minutes remaining before Messi's cross found Romero to halve the deficit. Four minutes later, the ball fell to Messi inside the box, and despite Shobeir getting two hands to his shot, he could not keep it out. The winner came from Enzo Fernández, who headed home from Lautaro Martínez's cross, though Egypt felt there had been a foul in the buildup.
This was the latest a team has ever clawed back a two-goal deficit at the World Cup. Argentina will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on 12 July.
