Argentina produced an astonishing comeback to maintain their World Cup alive as they recovered from two right down to beat Egypt 3-2 in stoppage-time.
Enzo Fernandez’s magnificent header accomplished the turnaround in an all-time basic round-of-16 tie in Atlanta. Cristian Romero didn’t rating Argentina’s first till the 79th minute earlier than Lionel Messi equalised, shrugging off his early penalty miss.
It was so merciless on Egypt. They led for over an hour after Yasser Ibrahim’s header and appeared to have eradicated the holders when Zico doubled the lead halfway by way of the second half. Argentina couldn’t management the counter-attack. They regarded performed.
However Messi, who was in tears when celebrating afterwards, conjured one thing that had regarded unlikely for a lot of the match. Little had come off for the legend, having squandered his second penalty of the World Cup. He was going through an ignominious exit.
The 39-year-old Argentina captain supplied the help for Romero’s headed aim earlier than lashing the ball past Mostafa Shobeir to stage. It altered the temper of the match totally and Fernandez crushed Egypt’s desires from Lautaro Martinez’s cross.
It was not with out controversy. Egypt had earlier seen a Zico aim rightly disallowed for a foul on Lisandro Martinez within the build-up. They needed the winner to be pulled again for a foul by the identical participant on Salah seconds earlier than. However there was no reprieve.
It was an outrageous escape by a workforce fuelled by pure emotion. What number of extra instances can that man Messi, and those that Gary Neville known as his bodyguards, go to the nicely? Perhaps three extra instances but. This Argentina workforce have confirmed they’re by no means crushed.
The important thing moments from Atlanta
15 – GOAL! Ibrahim headed Egypt in entrance to kick off the drama.
21 – PENALTY SAVED! Messi can not beat Shobeir from the spot.
59 – DISALLOWED! Zico aim disallowed for foul on Martinez.
67 – GOAL! Zico beat Martinez to double Egypt’s benefit.
79 – GOAL! Romero pulled one again from Messi’s cross.
83 – GOAL! Messi levelled the sport by lashing in a half-volley.
90+2 – GOAL! Fernandez headed in to finish the comeback.
