Messi avoids a historic slap at the World Cup

BarcelonaArgentina had to bring out the champion's character to avoid one of the biggest surprises of this World Cup. Lionel Scaloni's team came back from 0-2 down against Egypt in the final minutes (3-2) and qualified for the quarter-finals after a match in which they lived on the edge. The Egyptian team came close to the feat thanks to a colossal performance from goalkeeper Shobeir and a tactical approach that nullified the Argentinians for a large part of the duel. When all seemed lost, Leo Messi, who ended the match in tears, reappeared to lead a swift comeback that was finally capped by Enzo Fernández in added time.

With the defeat, Egypt put an end to a historic World Cup run, but one that was insufficient to eliminate the reigning champions. The Pharaohs could not overcome the round of 16 ceiling, thus equalling their best World Cup record, achieved in 1934. Nevertheless, they said goodbye leaving an image of a brave, solid, and resilient team that only yielded in the final minutes to the Argentine push and the pressure of a Mercedes-Benz Stadium fully supporting the Albiceleste. Argentina, for their part, continues on the path towards retaining the title, but once again leaves more doubts than certainties. As against Cape Verde, Scaloni's men had to fight until the end to avoid an elimination that would have been sensational.

Shobeir, the Egyptian goalkeeper, protagonist of a heroic first half

The first few minutes of the match were marked by Argentina's lack of offensive precision. Despite monopolizing possession, the South Americans were unable to create clear chances. Faced with the opponent's high press, Egypt knew how to break out with purpose: first with a slow circulation from the back and then by filtering passes once the first pressing line was overcome.

The beginning of the pharaohs was much more forceful. They pressed all over the field, loaded the game down the right flank, and found their reward in the first set-piece action. In the 14th minute, Marwan Atta served a cross from a short-corner play for Yasser Ibrahim to head into the back of the net.

Atlanta's stadium fell silent, a silence broken only by the euphoria of the small group of Egyptian fans. Far from retreating, the North Africans maintained their pressure and continued to bother an uninspired Argentina. Scaloni's side had their clearest chance from eleven meters, after a penalty caused by Tagliafico, but Shobeir capped an excellent performance by saving Messi's shot. The Argentine captain set a new World Cup record by becoming the player with the most missed penalties in the competition's history, with four misses, two of which in this same edition. This fact, however, is an anecdote compared to being able to say that at 39 years old he has eight goals in the competition.

After the hydration break, the Egyptian goalkeeper was once again decisive with several notable saves against the Argentine onslaught. Hassan's men gave up on seeking a second goal and entrenched themselves in defense to resist the siege. At this point, Argentina came close to equalizing, but haste, constant interruptions, and the Egyptians' skill ended up taking the match to halftime with the 1-0 intact.

Messi, leader and savior of the 'albiceleste'

In the second half, Paredes and Julián Álvarez tried to surprise with long-range shots without success. Scaloni's team proposed offensive football, but the lack of passes between the lines and verticality condemned them. The attacks died out before becoming clear chances.

Egypt maintained the same plan it had adopted in the final stretch of the first half: low block, defensive order, and patience. Withdrawn, Hassan's men let the minutes pass while Argentina grew desperate. Despite punctually approaching a draw, the albiceleste team repeatedly hit an impenetrable defense and an immense Shobeir between the posts, in a second half that became increasingly dense and without a clear dominator.

In one of the few attacks by the Pharaohs, Ziko froze the Argentine fans by culminating a counter-attack that made it 0-2. However, VAR disallowed the goal for a prior foul on Lisandro Martínez. The scare did not alter Hassan's men's plan, who continued to appear more alive. Each recovery was an opportunity to seek the space behind with long passes and keep the danger alive during the midfield of the game.

And he who warns is not a traitor. In a new counter-attack led by Salah, Hassan drove the ball down the right flank to the edge of the small area, from where he served a back pass for Ziko, this time from the penalty spot, to send the ball into the net in the 67th minute. The 0-2 punished an unrecognizable Argentina.

The champion's solution was to cling to Messi again, who opened the path of hope with an assist for Cuti Romero to cut the deficit in the 79th minute and ignite the game. The 1-2 sowed doubts among the Egyptians, who began to concede ground. Poor management.

Just three minutes later, Messi himself completed the comeback. After an action inside the box, he connected a volley to score the equalizer with his 21st goal in a World Cup final phase. In just two minutes, Argentina had turned the game around and regained control. And when everything suggested that the match would end in extra time, with both teams exhausted, Argentina still found the strength to complete the comeback. In the 92nd minute, Enzo Fernández headed in a cross from Lautaro Martínez to make it the definitive 3-2 and serve the "albiceleste" delirium on an afternoon that will be remembered for many years.