Despite leading for most parts of the game, Egypt surrendered the lead as Argentina fought back to claim a 3-2 win in a Round of 16 game on Tuesday at Atlanta Stadium.
Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico scored Egypt’s two goals before Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a remarkable comeback.
Goals by Cristian Romero and Messi inspired the defending champions to equalize before Enzo Fernández scored a stoppage-time winner for the South Americans.
Egypt take the lead
Ibrahim powered the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) giants to a 15th-minute lead when he beat Lisandro Martínez in an aerial duel and headed past Emiliano Martinez.
Argentina had a chance to equalize when Haissem Hassan brought down Nicolas Tagliafico inside the area, but Messi could not beat Egyptian goalkeeper Shobeir, who dived in the right direction to deny the Barcelona legend.
Shobeir stood out again to help Egypt when he thwarted Julian Alvarez’s effort from point-blank range. Just before the hour mark, Egypt thought they had scored again after Hassan’s driving run ended with Mohamed Salah teeing up Zico to score. The goal was ruled out after a VAR review for an alleged foul on Martinez by Attia in the build-up.
In the 67th minute, the Pharaohs kept fighting and launched a lightning counterattack led by Salah, who set up Hassan, who in turn delivered an inch-perfect cross for Zico to tuck home from close range.
Argentina fight back
In a period of four minutes, Argentina fought back, scored, and equalized to shock Egypt. Romero headed in from Messi’s delivery from the right-hand side before the Argentina captain thundered his 83rd-minute shot in off the crossbar despite Shobeir’s best efforts.
Lautaro Martínez raced on to Alvarez’s pass before taking a touch and planting his cross onto the head of Fernandez, who scored to hand Argentina a stoppage-time lead and eventual victory.
