Messi sparks late rally as Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 to reach World Cup quarter-finals

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Lionel Messi drove a dramatic recovery as Argentina came from two goals behind to beat Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday and book a place in the World Cup quarter-finals. The defending champions looked headed for a major shock until a late surge at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium turned the tie around.

Egypt appeared on course for a landmark win after strikes from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico put them 2-0 ahead with only 11 minutes left in regulation. Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute, heading home from a precise Messi delivery to make it 2-1.

Four minutes later, Messi fired in a fine volley for his eighth goal of the tournament, levelling at 2-2 and sending Argentina supporters among the 68,239 in attendance into celebration. As extra time threatened, Enzo Fernandez rose to head home the decisive goal in the second minute of added time and end Egypt’s resistance.

“Being able to experience moments like this, honestly, I thank God, I’m privileged,” Fernandez said afterwards. “I want to highlight my teammates — we have a phenomenal group, a group that never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity. We’re always together,” the Chelsea midfielder added.

Fernandez’s winner closed a gripping encounter in which Messi failed to convert a first-half penalty for the second time at this tournament, while Egypt had a second-half goal disallowed after a disputed VAR review. Egyptian coach Hossam Hassan said his side had been wronged by the officiating.

“I do not want to put it nicely and talk about hard luck. We have been cheated unfairly today, we have suffered injustice,” said Hassan. “We haven’t seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play.”

The victory marked another tense escape for Argentina, who needed extra time to survive Cape Verde in the round of 32 last Friday. They will meet Switzerland in the quarter-finals after the Swiss joined Spain and Belgium in securing last-eight berths on Monday.

Spain knocked Portugal out 1-0, ending Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup campaign, while Belgium beat the United States 4-1. The American defeat means none of the host nations remain in the 2026 tournament after earlier exits by Canada and Mexico.

Controversy surrounded the United States ahead of their match in Seattle after forward Folarin Balogun was allowed to play despite receiving a red card against Bosnia and Herzegovina the previous week. Reports said the ruling came after United States President Donald Trump personally called FIFA president Gianni Infantino to ask for a review of Balogun’s sanction.

Belgium’s players marked Monday’s win by mocking Trump in a locker-room video shared widely online, performing a dance to YMCA in a style associated with the US leader. United States Soccer Federation said on Tuesday that talks about Mauricio Pochettino’s future as national team coach were continuing.

“We had positive conversations with Mauricio before the World Cup about the future,” US Soccer said in a statement. “We agreed we would continue those conversations following a chance to rest and reflect post-World Cup.”