How Argentina came back from the dead against Egypt to win all-time World Cup classic

The Egyptian King had created more chances than any other player at this World Cup (16) prior to the game against La Albiceleste, whilst Messi could extend his record of consecutive WC games scored in to eight. 

Argentina stung by early Egyptian opener

Collectively, Argentina could also be the first team in World Cup history to score 2+ goals in 12 successive games, whilst they would extend their consecutive winning record to 12 too.

Having scored eight but conceded six goals in their last six matches, Egypt would've been under no illusions as to how tough their assignment would be, but would surely have taken hope from Cape Verde's performance against Messi and Co. in the Round of 32.

Indeed, by the quarter hour, Argentina had only had Messi's solitary touch in the box as evidence of the poorest of starts, and they were stung by a fantastic opener, as Yasser Ibrahim rose highest at the far post to power home a header past Emi Martinez.

Ominously, Argentina hadn't won their last four World Cup games when going behind, since playing Mexico in 2006, whilst Egypt hadn't lost their last three when going ahead, since going down 2-1 to Saudi Arabia in 2018.

Messi misses another World Cup penalty

With only 52.8% collective possession, La Albiceleste were certainly struggling to contain a vibrant Egypt side, who had six players with a perfect 100% pass completion in those early stages.

When Nicolas Tagliafico burst into the area a few minutes later and was upended, it afforded Argentina an immediate chance to get back on level terms. However, Messi missed his penalty, the fourth failure from the spot in his World Cup career, and the first player to miss two penalties in the same tournament.

A tightly-packed and organised Egyptian defence was making life difficult for their opponents, and when chances arrived, such as Alexis Mac Allister's bullet header from close range in the 28th minute, Mostafa Shobeir was consistently in the right place at the right time.

Messi then hit the post with a long-range free-kick as, belatedly, Argentina began to find their rhythm.

Shobeir having the game of his life

Though Egypt's passing was crisp and their movement and effort were excellent, as half-time approached, they still had just Ibrahim's effort to show for their industry.

Salah, for example, had had only 12 total touches, the same as Argentina keeper Martinez.

All the while the match remained at 1-0, there was a feeling that it could go either way. 

Messi's third shot of the game was wayward and symptomatic of his performance to that point, and when Julian Alvarez finally got a shot away on target, Shobeir pulled off the best save of the match to retain his clean sheet, in what was fast becoming a man-of-the-match performance.

Argentina were setting the tone, but Egypt had five players who had attempted at least five one-on-one duels, and they were also playing with a back seven during stoppage time, which told a story.

Not since 2010 had La Albiceleste been behind at half-time in the World Cup, in a quarter-final vs Germany, and nor had they beaten three African opponents at the same edition of the tournament, so the reigning champions had work to do.

Zico makes it two

A fourth Argentinian shot on target at the start of the second half, this time from Rodrigo De Paul, was part of an incessant period of pressure which Egypt did well to repel.

It took 12 collective clearances by the Pharaohs' back four, and four tackles alone from Ramy Rabia to keep their advantage intact, but with only an outball to Salah to relieve the pressure, it was going to take a gargantuan effort to keep Argentina at bay for the remainder of the half.

To Egypt's credit, they continued to try and pass themselves out of trouble, and after a stunning break from Haissem Hassan, coupled with an inch-perfect assist from Salah, Zico looked to have made it 2-0 to the underdogs.

Silence from the majority of supporters in the stadium soon turned to unbridled joy after a VAR review ruled it out. However, the same combination of players then found the net with another brilliant counterattack, Zico again applying the finishing touch.

Romero and Messi draw Argentina level

Two goals from three shots on target were in stark contrast to Argentina's 12 total shots, four on target, but still no goals with 20 minutes to play.

A consistent back six from Egypt and just 36.7% possession handed the initiative back to the reigning champions, who were susceptible at the back and unable to string any sort of passing moves together.

With 12 minutes to play, Cristian Romero gave Argentina hope as he headed home to reduce the deficit, before Lautaro Martinez was a whisker away from drawing them level.

Then, out of nothing, up stepped Messi to rifle home the equaliser with his second shot on target, and send the stadium into rapture.

Although the energy levels had returned for the world champions with that goal, they had to remain on their guard as Egypt's dribbling prowess remained. 

Indeed, heading into the last minute, they'd attempted 24 to Argentina's 15, and with La Albiceleste by now going all-out for a winner, stopping the long ball over the top was paramount.

Enzo wins it in stoppage time

But for a last-ditch tackle from Leandro Paredes, when Egypt had a four-on-two breakaway, the Pharaohs might well have stunned their opponents again.

Then, as Salah lost the ball in the penalty area, a long ball to Martinez and a sensational cross from him was met by Enzo Fernandes to plant a stunning header wide of the flat-footed Shobeir.

A flurry of cards for those on the Egyptian bench in the wake of the goal left a sour taste, but Egypt's last-gasp attempts to unsettle their opponents didn't work, leaving Argentina to celebrate a famous win.

Jason Pettigrove has been the features writer for Flashscore since 2025, utilising Opta data to form the basis of his articles. He has previously worked for high profile football clubs, news and media outlets, both in print and digital, and can usually be found watching FC Barcelona when time permits. You can read more of his pieces here.