By Izuchukwu Okosi
Argentina came from two goals down to defeat seven-time African champions Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday evening to reach the quarter-finals of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Lionel Messi missed a penalty saved as Egypt’s goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved brilliantly.
The penalty miss was the 2022 World Cup winner’s seconds of the World Cup after the group stage against Austria.
Egypt took a shock lead through Yasser Ibrahim header in the 15th minute.
Shobeir also made point blank saves from an Alexis MacAllister header and a Julian Alvarez shot and is already in the conversation for making the save of the tournament so far.
Messi executed a free kick that hit the woodwork albeit Shobeir covered the space.
Egypt made a half time substitution bringing on Hamdy Fathy in place of round of 32 hero Emam Asour.
Mohamed Zico doubled Egypt’s lead in the 67th minute but two quickfire goals by Argentina’s Cristian Romero and Lionel Messi in the 79th and 83rd minutes restored parity for the Albeceleste.
Enzo Fernandez then scored a late goal in added time to make it 3-2 when he headed home a delightful goal as it seemed likely that the game would go into extra time.
The frustration in the Egyptian camp following the Argentina goals forced some remonstration from officials and players which saw the referee dish out two yellow cards.
Argentina will face Switzerland or Colombia in the quarter-finals stage.
