Argentina made a stunning comeback from 2-0 down, avoiding a shocking exit at the hands of Egypt and winning 3-2, extending Lionel Messi’s World Cup appearance and advancing to the quarter-finals.
Holder was dejected on Tuesday when goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico saved Messi a penalty and the Pharaohs were on the verge of a historic victory in Atlanta.
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However, Cristian Romero’s header sparked a comeback, with Argentina scoring a third time with 11 minutes remaining and stoppage time.
Messi scored the equalizer, making it his ninth straight World Cup game and regaining the top spot in the Golden Boot with eight goals this tournament.
Enzo Fernandes completed the comeback with a superb header two minutes into stoppage time.
At the end, Messi hugged his teammates and cried tears of joy.
Egypt were furious after a number of controversial decisions, including a canceled goal early in the second half, and one member of the coaching staff was given a red card immediately after the winning goal.
But despite a second all-powerful threat to their African opponents, Argentina will face either Colombia or Switzerland in Saturday’s last eight.
Coach Lionel Scaloni tried to rebuild his team, which appeared to be stalling in the closing stages of Friday’s 3-2 win over Cape Verde in the last-32.
The team that started in Miami added Nicolas Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes and Julian Alvarez, but Argentina once again fell behind.
Marwan Attia’s deep cross to the back post was tucked in by Yasser.
Argentina had a chance to equalize five minutes later when Tagliafico was brought down in the box by Haisem Hassan.
But there was another chapter in Messi’s misery from the penalty spot at the World Cup.
His eight Ballon d’Or winning goals were provisional, with Mostafa Chobeir flying to his left to make the save, meaning Messi missed four of his eight non-shootout penalties at the World Cup. He also failed to score in the group stage match against Austria, making him the first player to miss two games in a single tournament.
The penalty save was just the start of an exciting afternoon for Shobeil.
Alexis Mac Allister’s powerful header from close range was then denied by Al Ahly’s stopper.
Chobeil then made one of the best saves of the tournament, preventing Alvarez’s shot from going into the bottom corner.
Egypt thought they had doubled their lead at the hour mark after a brilliant fightback.
Mohamed Salah, playing in place of Mostafa Zico, perfectly placed the ball past the onrushing Emi Martínez.
However, Egypt’s celebrations were interrupted by a highly controversial VAR intervention following a foul on Lisandro Martinez just outside the Egypt box at the start of the build-up to the goal.
This decision ultimately excited the majority Argentine crowd, but it was silenced again shortly after by another heavy Egyptian break.
Salah led the attack again, feeding Hassan and his cross was tucked in by Zico.
With players keeping their heads down during the second-half drinks break, Argentina looked like a beaten team with Messi.
However, Romero’s header, which Chobeil was unable to block, sparked a surprising comeback as the defending champion was pulled off the canvas.
Moments later, Messi’s stunning run led to Lautaro Martinez’s header narrowly going wide, allowing Messi to make the comeback with seven minutes remaining.
Gonzalo Montiel sent the ball back and the captain hit a sweet shot on the half-volley.
Chobeil received another touch, but was unable to prevent the ball and the ball hit the top of the bar, resulting in Messi’s 21st World Cup goal.
The Argentine reliever then came into his own after the final whistle, with a counterattack completed by Fernandes’ bullet header from Lautaro Martínez’s cross.
Scaloni gave a very brief interview to reporters after the game.
The Argentina national team coach said, “I can’t look up. I’m sorry. I’m really emotional right now.”
“What a group of players, dude. That’s it, I gotta go.”
