Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a remarkable World Cup fightback as they came from two goals behind to beat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic last-16 game today.
The holders were trailing 2-0 and 11 minutes from a shock defeat, but goals by Cristian Romero, Messi and two minutes into stoppage time from Enzo Fernandez kept them in the game, according to Reuters.
Egypt had been on the brink of one of the great World Cup upsets after Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico punched excellent goals, one in each half, and Messi had squandered an early penalty, Reuters reported.
The North Africans fell apart in the closing stages, however, as the 39-year-old Messi, whose record World Cup goal haul is now up to 21, engineered Argentina’s dramatic comeback.
The captain provided the cross from which Romero headed home to start the comeback in the 79th minute and four minutes later Messi lashed home the equaliser after substitutes Lautaro Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel had both got vital touches to keep the ball away from Egyptian defenders.
The winner came from a counter-attack as Lautaro Martinez crossed from the right and Fernandez targeted a back-post header past goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir.
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