Lionel Messi missed a penalty and fell two goals behind before inspiring a legendary 3-2 comeback to keep Argentina's title defense alive.
Argentina were dead, buried, and two goals down. Then Lionel Messi remembered who he was.
ACT I · 15' — 21'
Egypt stun the reigning champions with an early opener before goalkeeper sensationally denies from the penalty spot.
ACT II · 58' — 67'
A disallowed VAR lifeline does not deter the Pharaohs, who double their lead to stand on the brink of a historic upset.
THE PEAK · 79' — 83'
Argentina fight back as a clinical header cuts the deficit before sweeps home the equalizer to rescue his nation.
90+2' · THE 92ND-MINUTE DAGGER
Argentina seal the ultimate comeback with a dramatic late strike, spark-plugged by a controversial non-call that leaves Egypt in fury.
Before kickoff we asked: “Can Egypt's free-agent talisman outshine the record-breaking captain of the reigning champions?”
shook off an early penalty miss to completely dominate, while was starved of service and failed to register a single shot.
I can't look up, I'm sorry. I'm really emotional right now. What a group of players, man. That's it, I've got to go.
Lionel Scaloni · Argentina · Manager · Al Jazeera
The full presser
This is a phenomenal group that never gives up. Four years have passed since , and we've come to enjoy another World Cup — and we want to win it again. That's what we're aiming for.
Enzo Fernandez · Argentina · Midfielder · Associated Press
We were so close to victory. Small details make the difference in the big games. We're sad because we had the match in our hands.
· Egypt · Goalkeeper · AFP
WHERE THIS GOES
The reigning champions survive a massive scare to reach the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Switzerland v Colombia.