Defending champions Argentina pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in World Cup history on Tuesday, scoring three times in the final 15 minutes to snatch a 3–2 victory over Egypt and book their place in the quarter-finals.
Trailing 2–0 after a Zico brace and with their title defence hanging by a thread, Argentina looked beaten. But Cristian Romero headed home in the 79th minute, Lionel Messi slotted the equaliser four minutes later, and Enzo Fernández completed the fairy-tale finish in stoppage time.
Messi had earlier missed a first-half penalty, his second miss of the tournament, but made amends when it mattered most, becoming the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup knockout matches.
At 39, he now has eight goals in this World Cup, the most through five matches since Gerd Müller in 1970.
Egypt, who led through Yasser Ibrahim’s early header and Zico’s 67th-minute strike, saw two late penalty appeals denied as Argentina became the first team ever to overturn a two-goal deficit after the 78th minute and win in regulation time.
The South American giants now face either Switzerland or Colombia in the last eight, while Egypt exit with their heads held high after pushing the champions to the limit.
