Lionel Messi Leads Argentina to 3-2 Comeback Win Over Egypt After 2-0 Deficit

Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to an all-time great World Cup comeback against Egypt, overturning a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 and seal their place in the quarter-finals.

“Lionel Messi stood in the centre of Atlanta Stadium in floods of tears, sobbing on the shoulders of his team-mates, after adding another remarkable World Cup victory to the story of his incredible career”

BBC

The match turned after Egypt’s Mostafa Ziko made it 2-0 in the 67th minute, following a goal ruled out after a VAR intervention, before Cristian Romero gave Argentina hope with a 79th-minute header.

BBC

Messi then equalised in the 83rd minute, and Enzo Fernandez headed in the winning goal in the second minute of stoppage time at Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Time Magazine described the moment as Messi’s “rocket” that tied the game, and ESPN said it was the first time in World Cup history a team won a knockout match in regulation time after trailing by two goals in the 75th minute.

Argentina’s quarter-final next is set to be against the Switzerland-Colombia winner in Kansas City, with ESPN noting the quarterfinal will be in Kansas City on Saturday.

After the comeback, ESPN quoted Fernández saying, "This is a phenomenal group that never gives up," as Argentina prepared to face either Colombia or Switzerland in Kansas City.

NPR reported that Messi said, "It wasn't easy to come back from two goals down," and added that he told reporters, "this group never gives up."

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Egypt coach Hossam Hassan complained about the French referee and the officiating, saying, "We have been treated unfairly today. We have suffered injustice."

The Tribune’s Roy Keane praised Argentina as “streetfighters,” telling ITV as quoted by Sky Sports, "These guys are streetfighters. They will not give up. I loved it. Amazing game."

The same sources tied the drama to key moments involving Mostafa Shobeir, including his save of Messi’s penalty in the 21st minute and the disallowed Egypt goal after video review.

With the win, Argentina advanced to the quarter-finals and will play the Switzerland-Colombia winner in Kansas City on Saturday, a next step framed by ESPN as a chance to become the first back-to-back World Cup champions since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.

“Lionel Messiscored in a record sixth straight World Cup knockout match to helpArgentinareach the quarterfinals with a stunning late comeback to beatEgypt3-2 in Atlanta”

ESPN

The New York Times said the comeback left Messi in tears during the celebrations, while ESPN noted Messi scored in a record sixth straight World Cup knockout match to reach the quarterfinals.

Time Magazine put the stakes in individual terms, saying Messi has eight goals in this World Cup and that his effort began with a first career World Cup hat trick.

ESPN also tied the tournament race to the comeback, saying Messi’s eight goals put him one clear of France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot.

NBC 6 South Florida added that the quarterfinal match will be played 9 p.m. ET on Saturday in Kansas City, and it described Argentina’s turnaround as keeping their World Cup dreams alive after the 3-2 win.