Atlanta, UNITED STATES – A dramatic 93rd-minute header from Enzo Fernández completed a late comeback for reigning world champions Argentina, breaking Egyptian hearts after the Pharaohs were denied what many considered a clear penalty just moments before the deciding goal in a breathless 3-2 encounter at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
The blockbuster Round of 16 clash will long be remembered for its heavy refereeing controversies and VAR theater. Okay News reports that underdogs Egypt took a shock lead in the 15th minute when Yasser Ibrahim powered home a header. Argentina responded quickly by winning a penalty, but Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir produced a world-class diving save to deny global icon Lionel Messi from the spot.
The match exploded into major controversy in the 58th minute when Mostafa Ziko neatly finished a defense-splitting ball from Mohamed Salah, only for the referee to rule it out after a lengthy VAR review for a highly debated minor infraction earlier in the buildup. Undeterred, Mostafa Ziko found his legitimate breakthrough in the 67th minute, firing home a cross from Salah to put Egypt on the brink of one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history.
With just 12 minutes of regular time remaining, Lionel Scaloni’s side mounted a furious assault. Cristian Romero pulled one back in the 79th minute, nodding in from a precise Messi cross. Five minutes later, Lionel Messi made amends for his earlier penalty miss, rifling home the equalizer to level the score at 2-2. The ultimate controversy arrived deep in stoppage time when Egypt vociferously appealed for a penalty at one end; the referee ignored the pleas and waved play on, sparking an immediate counter-attack that allowed Enzo Fernández to head in the winner from a Lautaro Martínez cross. Despite the agonizing exit, Hossam Hassan’s men exit the tournament with heads held high, having secured Egypt’s deepest-ever run in World Cup history, while Argentina advances to the quarter-finals on July 11.
