Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to pull off one of the greatest World Cup comebacks of all time to beat Egypt and book a place in the quarter-finals.
Messi put his latest penalty anguish behind with the champions down 2-0 to the Pharaohs. The legendary No 10 scored the equaliser late on before Enzo Fernandez’s header put the champions in front.
The Pharaohs had grabbed a shock lead against when a stunning header from Yasser Ibrahim sailed past Emi Martinez in the first half. But Haissem Hassan then brought down Nico Tagliafico to gift the Albiceleste a chance to equalise, only for Messi to miss his second spot kick of the tournament.
Lionel Scaloni’s side were almost two down after a sublime move involving Salah saw Zico finish well, but a foul in the build-up was spotted by VAR to keep the score at 0-1. But Egypt did make it two moments later, with Salah leading the counter-attack and setting up Zico in a clinical move.
But after Cristian Romero pulled one back with a bullet header, Messi smashed a second to pull the champions level. And the chaotic scenes in Atlanta continued when Enzo Fernandez’s header put Argentina 3-2 up in stoppage time to leave Messi in tears amid wild celebrations. Follow all of the latest from Atlanta with our World Cup live blog below:
FULL-TIME! Argentina 3-2 Egypt
It’s been one of the great World Cup comebacks in Atlanta.
Egypt were good value for their 2-0 lead but there are some players you just can’t keep down, and Lionel Messi led the charge as the holders fought back.
His goal was a timely equaliser and Enzo Fernandez’s superb header in added time wrapped it up for the Alibceleste.
Onto the quarter-finals!
‘I loved it’
“My voice is gone. I loved it,” says Roy Keane on ITV.
“Yesterday we saw sad tears from Ronaldo. Today we see happy tears from Messi.
“They will not give up. The quality of their goals were amazing.
“Wow. This is why we love the game. Absolutely amazing,” h added.
FULL-TIME! Argentina 3-2 Egypt
The holders will face either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals! Those two sides will face off later this evening in the final last-16 match.
That quarter-final will come on Sunday, July 12 in Kansas City, with kick-off at 2am BST.
FULL-TIME! Argentina 3-2 Egypt
That’s it! It’s over! Argentina have completed a remarkable comeback!
Lionel Messi looks like he’s in tears as the full-time whistle goes!
Argentina have their place in the World Cup quarter-finals!
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
90 +10 mins
Egypt launch it forward but it’s poor and Argentina can carry it towards the corner flag…
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
90 +9 mins
Argentina boot the free-kick out of play. Time for one more Egypt chance?
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
90 +8 mins
Some more members of the Egypt backroom staff – and indeed manager Hossam Hassan – have been booked now.
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
90 +7 mins
We’ve gone past the allotted added time but there’ll be a few more minutes added on.
Martinez is brought down on the counter and Argentina have a free-kick near halfway.
Argentina 3-2 Egypt
90 +4 mins
Chaos after that goal as Egypt believe they could even have had two penalties. One for a foul on Salah and another for a handball and/or foul just before Argentina scored!
A member of the backroom staff has been sent off and Shobeir was booked for his protests.
Argentina have brought on Otamendi and Medina for Romero and Alvarez.
