Argentina needed every ounce of composure in Atlanta, rallying from a two-goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 in the World Cup last 16. The dramatic turnaround at Mercedes-Benz Stadium prevented a painful sense of déjà vu with one of Nigerian football’s most famous nights in the same city.
Quick facts
- Argentina beat Egypt 3-2 in the World Cup last 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
- Egypt led 2-0 with 11 minutes of normal time left, scoring through Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico.
- Argentina completed the comeback with goals from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernandez.
- Messi missed a first-half penalty saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir.
- A Zico second-half goal was chalked off by VAR for a foul in the build-up.
The setting echoed the past in an uncomfortable way. In the 1996 Atlanta Olympic football final, Nigeria’s much-celebrated “Dream Team” stunned Argentina 3-2 for gold, with Nwankwo Kanu netting twice—one including a stoppage-time equaliser—before Emmanuel Amuneke scored the winner in deep injury time. Three decades on, Argentina stared at a similarly ominous scoreline against Egypt, only for Messi and his team to rewrite the ending.
Egypt looked set to pull off one of the tournament’s biggest shocks after Ibrahim and Zico put them in front, leaving Argentina trailing as the finish line for regulation approached. With only 11 minutes remaining in normal time, the deficit still seemed insurmountable—until the closing stages turned into a showcase of urgency and precision.
Late turnaround
Argentina struck three times in quick succession to complete the reversal. Cristian Romero opened the comeback in the 79th minute, nodding in after a cross from Messi. Four minutes later, Messi levelled the match with a volley to reach eighth goal of the tournament and his 21st World Cup strike, before Enzo Fernandez nodded home the decisive winner two minutes into stoppage time.
That late burst came despite a difficult first half for Messi. He missed a penalty, with Mostafa Shoubir saving low, and it marked a rare World Cup misstep for the Argentina captain—he became the first player to miss two penalties at a single World Cup after also failing from the spot against Austria in the group phase.
Shoubir kept Egypt afloat after that as well, producing saves in the second half to deny Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez. Egypt’s goalkeeper’s interventions bought time, but Argentina’s late momentum ultimately overwhelmed his side.
Egypt also had more moments to believe they might finish the job. A Zico goal after the interval was ruled out by VAR due to a foul during the build-up, and Egypt were further frustrated by what they felt was a late penalty appeal after a tug on Hamdy Fathy. Those decisions left Egypt furious at full time, especially because Argentina’s winning goal arrived moments later.
Hossam Hassan’s anger
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said after the match that he would not be watching any more games at the tournament. Speaking at a post-match press conference, he argued that officials had cost his team a famous result and insisted the outcome was not fair.
“I’m going home and won’t be watching any more games from the tournament,” Hassan said. “What happened to us wasn’t fair. We should have had a penalty, a goal was disallowed, and I don’t know why it was disallowed.”
Hassan also defended his players’ effort, saying the issue went beyond the goals and hinged on what he felt they were owed from decision-makers. “Even if the goals came from mistakes, the biggest mistake is not getting what you’re entitled to from those responsible for making the decisions,” he added. “I’m the type of person who hates losing. And when it’s a defeat that feels unjust like today’s, I can only tell the fans not to be upset. We wanted so much to give them more joy.”
The coach further praised a largely home-based squad for standing toe-to-toe with a team that carried the holders’ status. “Most of our players come from the Egyptian domestic league, while many players in other national teams are based in Europe and live in that professional environment,” he said. “Yet with predominantly local players — besides Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush — we were able to compete with anyone.”
Players’ reactions
Zico, whose disallowed effort swung the emotional balance in Egypt’s favour before VAR overturned it, said his side had produced a strong display against the world champions. “We produced a great performance against the world champions. I don’t know what happened in the second half. Strange things happened that everyone saw. It was as clear as the sun in broad daylight,” he said.
Shoubir, whose saves kept Egypt in the contest deep into the second half, believed the match had been within reach. “The win was within our reach. We were only missing a few small details. As everyone saw, we were close — very close — to winning but it just wasn’t meant to be,” he said.
For Argentina, Fernandez reflected on the group’s mindset after scoring the decisive header. “We have a phenomenal group, one that never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity. We’re always together,” he said. Scaloni matched that tone in his own emotion-filled remarks: “I’m really emotional right now. What a group of players.”
Argentina’s reward is a quarter-final against Switzerland after the Swiss side edged Colombia on penalties. Switzerland and Colombia had both finished level on goals after regulation time, setting up the shootout that decided who progressed.
