07/07/26 02:50:00
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07/07 14:49 CDT Lionel Messi leads Argentina to 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt
and spot in World Cup quarterfinals
Lionel Messi leads Argentina to 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt and spot in
World Cup quarterfinals
By JAMES ROBSON
AP Soccer Writer
ATLANTA (AP) --- It was another World Cup epic from an Argentina team that
simply doesn't know when it's beaten.
Trailing 2-0 against Egypt with 11 minutes of regulation time to play on
Tuesday, the defending champions rallied for an improbable 3-2 victory and a
spot in the quarterfinals.
"We have a phenomenal group, a group that never gives up no matter the
difficulties and adversity. We're always together," said Enzo Fernandez, who
scored the winning goal in stoppage time.
Argentina will play either Switzerland or Colombia in the next round on
Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri.
For much of Tuesday's game, it looked like it would be a painful exit for the
39-year-old Lionel Messi in what might be the last of his six World Cups.
Egypt led after goals in each half from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico and
could have been ahead 3-0 if not for a video review that ruled out another
score.
Argentina looked down and out, its bid to be the first team to win back-to-back
World Cup titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 all but dead.
Cue a monumental comeback.
"The heart of Argentinians is always something that pushes, that we keep going
no matter what, that we give everything until the end. And honestly, with the
score 2-0, we looked a bit beaten," Argentina striker Julian Alvarez said.
"There was little time left, but we always manage to get something more by
fighting until the end."
Cristian Romero started the rally by scoring with a header in the 79th minute.
Messi, who was in tears after the final whistle, scored his eighth goal of the
tournament and record-extending 21st goal at the World Cup in the 83rd to level
the score at 2-2 and Fernandez completed the comeback in injury time.
"Four years have passed since Qatar, and we've come to enjoy another World Cup
--- and we want to win it again. That's what we're aiming for," Fernandez said.
Argentina is no stranger to heroic matches at the World Cup.
There was the 3-2 win over West Germany in the 1986 final. Then the 3-3 draw
and eventual shootout victory against France to reclaim the title four years
ago.
Cape Verde pushed Argentina to the brink in the last round before eventually
winning 3-2 in extra time.
Tuesday's match was even more dramatic, with Messi having a first-half penalty
saved and another effort hit the post.
"I'm so emotional," Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said. "What a group of
players, brother."
Egypt took a surprising lead in the 15th minute when Ibrahim got ahead of
Lisandro Martinez to meet Marwan Attia's cross and head the ball into the
bottom corner.
Argentina was quickly given the chance to level the match when Haissem Hassan
tripped Nicolas Tagliafico in the box moments later. Referee Franois Letexier
pointed to the penalty spot and Messi stepped up with an expectant crowd
waiting for him to score.
Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir had other ideas, diving to his left to block
the shot for Messi's second penalty miss of the tournament after also failing
from the spot against Austria in the group stage.
Despite being the all-time leading scorer at World Cups, Messi has now missed
four of eight penalty kicks at the tournament.
After Messi hit the post later in the half, Shobeir pulled off another great
save to stop Julian Alvarez from close range.
Egypt thought it had doubled its lead in the second half when Mostafa Zico
finished off a sweeping attack. But the wild celebrations were cut short when a
foul earlier in the move was confirmed on video review and the goal was
disallowed.
That second goal for Egypt did come in the 67th from a similar break, and this
time Zico's effort counted. It just wasn't enough.
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James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson
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See more of AP's World Cup coverage here
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