Argentina produced an astonishing comeback to keep their World Cup alive as they recovered from two down to beat Egypt 3-2 in stoppage-time.
Enzo Fernandez’s magnificent header completed the turnaround in an all-time classic round-of-16 tie in Atlanta. Cristian Romero did not score Argentina’s first until the 79th minute before Lionel Messi equalised, shrugging off his early penalty miss.
It was so cruel on Egypt. They led for over an hour after Yasser Ibrahim’s header and appeared to have eliminated the holders when Zico doubled the lead midway through the second half. Argentina could not control the counter-attack. They looked done.
But Messi, who was in tears when celebrating afterwards, conjured something that had looked unlikely for much of the match. Little had come off for the legend, having squandered his second penalty of the World Cup. He was facing an ignominious exit.
Lionel Messi scored Argentina’s equaliser against Egypt
The 39-year-old Argentina captain provided the assist for Romero’s headed goal before lashing the ball beyond Mostafa Shobeir to level. It altered the mood of the match entirely and Fernandez crushed Egypt’s dreams from Lautaro Martinez’s cross.
It was not without controversy. Egypt had earlier seen a Zico goal rightly disallowed for a foul on Lisandro Martinez in the build-up. They wanted the winner to be pulled back for a foul by the same player on Salah seconds before. But there was no reprieve.
It was an outrageous escape by a team fuelled by pure emotion. How many more times can that man Messi, and those who Gary Neville called his bodyguards, go to the well? Maybe three more times yet. This Argentina team have proven they are never beaten.
The key moments from Atlanta
15 – GOAL! Ibrahim headed Egypt in front to kick off the drama.
21 – PENALTY SAVED! Messi cannot beat Shobeir from the spot.
59 – DISALLOWED! Zico goal disallowed for foul on Martinez.
67 – GOAL! Zico beat Martinez to double Egypt’s advantage.
79 – GOAL! Romero pulled one back from Messi’s cross.
83 – GOAL! Messi levelled the game by lashing in a half-volley.
90+2 – GOAL! Fernandez headed in to complete the comeback.
How Messi saved his World Cup
Messi’s career has been intertwined with that of Cristiano Ronaldo for what must seem like forever for the pair. For three quarters of this contest, Argentina’s captain had appeared set to follow his old rival out of this World Cup. It would have been a sad end.
Instead, when the final whistle came, his tears were very different from those of Ronaldo the night before. Overcome with emotion, there was joy in there. But relief too. This was a game that had looked unlikely to bend to his will. Messi certainly struggled.
It was not just the penalty that he had saved – again – but that was bad. Messi is the first man to miss two spot-kicks in one World Cup. In the aftermath, there were passes that were underhit, free-kicks that were overhit, and a shot that ballooned over the crossbar.
The pattern continued as the pressure built. He was dispossessed when caught on his heels. Bundled off the ball time and again. When the second Egypt goal went in, the prospect of even Messi digging deep into his reserves must have felt like a forlorn hope.
Lionel Messi was in tears after Argentina’s incredible comeback against Egypt
But he came alive again. It was partly tactical. Lautaro Martinez’s arrival on the pitch in place of Rodrigo De Paul allowed him to occupy a place closer to the right wing. It had been claustrophobic in the middle of the pitch. Out wide, Messi found breathing space.
In minute 79, he conjured his first assist of this World Cup for Romero’s goal. Moments later, he went on a mazy run that almost set up Martinez to nod in an equaliser. It was strange to see him dart between bodies again, a man desperate to roll back the years.
And then came his goal. Lurking just inside the box, his half-volley was expertly timed, the technique holding together when it mattered most. The goalkeeper could only push the ball into the roof of the net. Messi had rewritten the World Cup script yet again.
No man can beat time forever. That opponent is undefeated. But Messi does not need to do it forever. If he can stave off a rival even more fearsome than Ronaldo for the rest of this week and next, he could yet achieve the impossible and retain this World Cup.
With Messi, can anyone rule it out?
