MANILA – Defending champion Argentina pulled off one of the most dramatic comebacks of the FIFA World Cup, erasing a two-goal deficit in the final 11 minutes before Enzo Fernandez headed home the stoppage-time winner to seal a thrilling 3-2 victory over Egypt and a place in the quarterfinals on Tuesday night (Wednesday in the Philippines) in Atlanta.
Fernandez struck in the second minute of added time, completing an astonishing turnaround after Argentina trailed 2-0 entering the closing stages of regulation.
Egypt shocked the defending champions by taking the lead in the 15th minute when Yasser Ibrahim powered in a header off a Marwan Attia cross.
Argentina had a golden opportunity to equalize moments later, but Lionel Messi’s penalty was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.
Despite dominating possession for much of the first half, Argentina failed to break through. Messi also rattled the post with a long-range free kick, while Shobeir produced crucial saves against Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez to preserve Egypt’s lead.
Egypt moved within touching distance of a historic upset in the 67th minute when Mostafa Zico finished off a swift counterattack initiated by Mohamed Salah and Haissem Hassan, doubling the lead to 2-0.
Facing elimination, Argentina launched a furious late assault.
Cristian Romero sparked the revival in the 79th minute by heading home from a cross before Messi finally found the net four minutes later, pouncing on a loose ball inside the penalty area to level the match at 2-2.
Just when extra time appeared inevitable, Lautaro Martinez floated a cross into the box in the second minute of stoppage time, where Fernandez rose above the defense and headed the winner to complete Argentina’s breathtaking comeback.
The victory sends Argentina into the quarterfinals, where they will face Switzerland.
Earlier, Switzerland reached the World Cup quarterfinals for the first time since 1954 after defeating Colombia, 4-3, in a penalty shootout following a scoreless draw after extra time in Vancouver, Canada.
Colombia’s hopes faded when Davinson Sánchez blasted his penalty against the crossbar and Cucho Hernández saw his attempt saved by goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
Rubén Vargas then calmly converted the decisive penalty to send Switzerland into the last eight.
The victory marked Switzerland’s first time to win multiple knockout-stage matches in a single World Cup and their deepest run in the tournament since hosting it 72 years ago./PN
