Enzo Fernandez headed home a stoppage-time winner as defending champions Argentina pulled off a historic 3-2 comeback against Egypt in the World Cup last 16 on Tuesday. The victory was sealed after Argentina trailed 2-0 until the 79th minute, with an upset of epic proportions looming.
Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 15th minute before Mostafa Ziko doubled Egypt's lead in the 67th. Lionel Messi missed a second penalty kick of the tournament in the 21st minute, failing to beat goalkeeper Mostapha Shoubeir, but the captain later helped spark the revival. Egypt's Haissem Hassan, a relative unknown before the tournament, was the standout for the Pharaos, assisting the second goal with a performance described as fit for the magnitude of the tie.
Argentina's comeback keeps their title defense alive, while Egypt is eliminated after coming within minutes of pulling off one of the tournament's biggest shocks. The result sends a warning to remaining contenders about Argentina's resilience under pressure.
Argentina will now await their quarterfinal opponent as they look to build on this dramatic escape. For Egypt, the focus shifts to rebuilding around emerging talents like Hassan, whose World Cup breakout has raised his profile.
"We never gave up, even when things looked impossible," said a source close to the Argentina camp after the match, reflecting on the team's refusal to accept defeat.