In wild showdown Tuesday, Argentina clawed back from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2,punching their ticket to World Cup quarterfinals. Defending champs stared down elimination in Atlanta after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko had Egypt cruising .
Things looked bleak for Argentina when Lionel Messi saw a penalty saved early. But then everything flipped. Cristian Romero's header sparked a furious comeback, with Argentina netting three in just over 10 minutes.
Messi, who'd missed a penalty earlier in tournament,finally scored . His 21st World Cup goal,a fierce half-volley, came seven minutes before full-time, tying it 2-2. That goal extended his streak to nine straight World Cup matches with a goal,putting him atop scoring chart with eight .
Enzo Fernandez sealed the deal with a stoppage-time header, sending Argentina through. Messi,emotional,cried tears of joy, hugging teammates in celebration.
Egypt's players were livid over calls against them,including a disallowed goal. Egyptian staffer got a red card after the final goal,adding sideline drama.
Argentina's coach Lionel Scaloni shuffled his lineup after barely edging Cape Verde 3-2 earlier. But Argentina struggled early, letting Egypt strike first. Ibrahim scored with a powerful header,putting Argentina on heels .
Five minutes later, Argentina had penalty chance after Nicolas Tagliafico was fouled. But Messi's attempt was stopped by Mostafa Shobeir,who was wall,blocking several key shots .
Shobeir's heroics included a save from Alexis Mac Allister's close header and denying Julian Alvarez. Egypt went up 2-0 on counterattack, only for VAR to nix it for a foul.
Argentina seemed doomed,with Messi and team looking beaten during a break. But Romero's goal fired them up, launching waves of attacks. Messi then set up Lautaro Martinez, whose header went just wide.
Then came Messi's redemption. Taking a pass from Gonzalo Montiel, he smashed it in off crossbar. With it tied,Fernandez's late header from Martinez cross completed the rally.
Post-match,Scaloni was overwhelmed, saying, "I can't look up, I'm sorry. I'm really emotional right now. What a group of players,man. That's it, I've got to go." Argentina now gears up to face Colombia or Switzerland in Saturday's quarterfinals.
