Messi scores twice as Argentina overturns Egypt 3-2 to reach World Cup quarterfinals
Lionel Messi netted a brace in the final minutes, helping Argentina come from 2-0 down to beat Egypt 3-2 and advance to the quarterfinals of the tournament.
Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2 in the round of 16 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, advancing to the quarterfinals. Egypt led 2-0 after goals from Yasser Ibrahim in the 15th minute and Mostafa Zico in the 67th. A disallowed Egyptian goal earlier in the second half left the score at 2-0 heading into the final stages.
Lionel Messi provided an assist to Cristian Romero in the 79th minute and scored four minutes later to level the match. Enzo Fernández headed the winning goal in the second minute of stoppage time, completing the comeback.
"This is a phenomenal group that never gives up," Fernández said.
Argentina will meet the winner of the Colombia-Switzerland match in Kansas City on Saturday. The victory marks the first time a team has won a World Cup knockout match in regulation after trailing by two goals after the 75th minute.
Messi's goal was his ninth in consecutive World Cup matches, extending his tournament tally to eight and placing him ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot. He also moved to a two-goal lead over Mbappé on the World Cup career scoring list.
"I'm so emotional," coach Lionel Scaloni said.
Egypt's goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved Messi's penalty in the first half and later denied a close-range effort from Julián Álvarez.