Argentina are through to the quarter-finals of the ongoing World Cup after seeing off a stubborn Egypt side in a 3-2 thriller.
The world champions were stunned by the Africans in the opening 15 minutes through a thunderous header from Al Ahly’s Yasser Ibrahim.
Lionel Messi had the opportunity to equalize for the Albiceleste from the penalty spot after Nicolas Tagliafico was brought down in the area, but the iconic No.10 fluffed his lines, forcing Mostafa Shobeir to make a wonderful save.
After the halftime break, Egypt started the second half with the same desire as in the first, and thought they had gotten their second goal of the game when Hasseim Hassan, who had been a menace throughout the game, broke free before teeing up Mostafa Ziko.
The goal was cancelled after the Video Assistant Referee adjudicated that there was a foul in the build-up.
A few minutes later the Egyptians got their deserved second goal in a similar fashion through Ziko.
The Pharaohs were cruising to an emphatic victory but Messi’s moment of magic swung the pendulum in favour of the Argentines.
He first sent a cross for Tottenham Hotspur’s defender Cristian Romero to pull one back for Argentina, before pouncing on a rebound for the equalizer.
Lautaro Martinez sent a wonderful cross in the dying embers of the game which was met by Enzo Fernandez to administer the coup de grâce, ending Egypt’s dream of making a first quarterfinal appearance.
Lionel Scaloni’s men are in the last eight and will be playing the winners of Switzerland vs Colombia.
