Defending champions Argentina national football team produced a sensational second-half comeback to defeat Egypt national football team 3-2 in a thrilling FIFA World Cup Round of 16 encounter, securing a place in the quarter-finals with a stoppage-time winner from Enzo Fernández.
Egypt appeared on course for one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history after taking a commanding two-goal lead. Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a well-taken header before Mostafa Zico doubled the advantage in the 67th minute, finishing clinically after a swift counterattack.
The North Africans had earlier survived a major scare when goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir denied Lionel Messi from the penalty spot after Argentina were awarded a first-half spot-kick.
Argentina responded with renewed intensity as the match entered its closing stages. Defender Cristian Romero pulled one back to spark the comeback before Messi redeemed himself for his missed penalty by scoring the equaliser late in the second half as Egypt struggled to withstand sustained pressure.
With extra time seemingly inevitable, Fernández completed the dramatic turnaround deep into stoppage time, converting from close range after being set up by Lisandro Martínez to seal a memorable victory for the defending champions.
The result sends Argentina into the World Cup quarter-finals, where they will face the winners of the Round of 16 clash between Switzerland national football team and Colombia national football team.
Egypt, meanwhile, exit the tournament after a spirited performance that came close to producing one of the competition’s greatest knockout-stage upsets.
