Argentina Survives Egyptian Fright With Three Late Goals
Argentina looked headed for a stunning World Cup exit before storming back from a 2-0 deficit with three goals in twelve second-half minutes to beat Egypt 3-2 and reach the quarterfinals in one of the great comebacks in tournament history.
Egypt struck first in the 15th minute and doubled the lead in the 67th, putting Argentina's title defense on the brink with barely 20 minutes remaining. The scoreline badly understated the run of play — Argentina held 58% possession and out-shot Egypt 17 to 4, with 7 shots on target compared to Egypt's 2. Egypt leaned on a deep, disciplined defensive shape and a string of second-half substitutions to try to hold the line, committing extra fouls and picking up four yellow cards late as the pressure mounted.
The response, when it came, was immediate and ruthless. Cristian Romero pulled a goal back in the 79th minute, Lionel Messi leveled it at 2-2 in the 83rd with his tournament-leading eighth goal, and Enzo Fernández's stoppage-time header in the 90th completed the turnaround. Three goals, twelve minutes, a match that looked over rewritten in the final quarter-hour.
Key Moments
- 15'Egypt open the scoring. Argentina 0–1.
- 67'Egypt double their lead. Argentina 0–2.
- 79'Cristian Romero pulls one back. Argentina 1–2.
- 83'Messi levels it — his tournament-leading 8th goal. Argentina 2–2.
- 90'Enzo Fernández heads in the stoppage-time winner. Argentina 3–2.
By the Numbers
Argentina finished the match having controlled 58% of possession and out-shot Egypt 17 to 4, with 7 shots on target to Egypt's 2 — a dominant underlying performance the scoreline didn't reflect until the final quarter-hour. Egypt picked up four yellow cards in the second half as the pressure mounted on their defensive shape.
What's Next
Argentina advances to face Switzerland in the quarterfinals on Saturday, July 11 in Kansas City.