AFCON 2025
Lionel Messi inspired a stunning fightback as Argentina overturned a two-goal deficit to beat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic World Cup Round of 16 clash in Atlanta on Tuesday. The reigning champions looked set for an early exit before roaring back with three goals in the final stretch of the match.
Egypt drew first blood in the 15th minute when Yasser Ibrahim rose highest to head home a cross from Marwan Attia, stunning the Argentine faithful. The early goal put Argentina behind at the World Cup for the first time since its opening match against Saudi Arabia at the 2022 tournament.
Messi had a chance to level matters from the penalty spot in the 21st minute, but Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produced a brilliant diving save. Shobeir denied Argentina again five minutes before halftime, keeping out a header from Julián Alvarez with another outstanding stop.
Egypt doubled their advantage in the second half through Mostafa Ziko, who found the net after Argentina had already seen an earlier effort ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up. The result appeared to be slipping away from Argentina as the match ticked toward its final quarter.
Cristian Romero halved the deficit in the 79th minute, heading in from a Messi cross to spark belief among the Argentine ranks. Four minutes later, Messi himself found the equaliser with a first-time strike, his eighth goal of the tournament and the 21st goal of his World Cup career and his ninth straight World Cup match with a goal.
Enzo Fernandez then completed the remarkable turnaround, heading home the winner in second-half stoppage time to send Argentina through 3-2. The goal sparked wild celebrations among the Argentine players and supporters inside the stadium.
Messi was named man of the match despite his earlier penalty miss, with the result further cementing his legacy in the tournament. Egypt’s players sank to the turf in anguish, having come agonisingly close to one of the great World Cup upsets.
Argentina now await the winner of the Switzerland-Colombia tie in the quarterfinals, with that match set for Saturday in Kansas City. The defending champions will hope to avoid another late scare as they chase back-to-back World Cup titles.
