In the 67th minute, Mostafa Zico finished off an Egypt downfield charge, on a brilliant counterattack to Argentina’s desperate press. Egypt, a team that hadn’t gotten out of the group stage in three prior World Cup appearances, now enjoyed a 2-0 cushion. The Pharaohs could feel the quarters.
But in the 79th minute, Messi—who else?—delivered a beautiful ball onto the head of Cristian Romero, who knocked it past Shoubir, who got his left hand on the ball, but not enough to stop the shot. Egypt’s advantage was cut in half. Then, four minutes later, the big one: Argentina’s Gonzalo Montiel kneed a deflected ball toward Messi, who was open inside the box. His rocket could not be stopped. Tie game.
An eruption in Atlanta. Elation for the Argentine side, who could now breathe, all momentum in its favor. The winning goal, before the end of stoppage time, now seemed inevitable for Argentina. And indeed, in the 92nd minute, Enzo Fernández headed in a cross from Lautaro Martínez to finish off the all-time comeback.
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