LOS ANGELES, United States, July 8, (v7n) – Lionel Messi led a stunning late fightback as Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2 to reach the World Cup quarter-finals, recovering from a two-goal deficit with just 11 minutes remaining to escape a monumental upset at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium.

Egypt looked poised for a famous victory after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico put them 2-0 up. But Cristian Romero's 79th-minute header from a pinpoint Messi cross gave the defending champions a lifeline, before Messi volleyed in a superb equaliser four minutes later—his eighth goal of the tournament—to make it 2-2. With extra-time looming, Enzo Fernandez nodded in a sensational winner in the second minute of stoppage time to finally break Egypt's resistance.

An emotional Messi broke down in tears after the final whistle. "Turning a match around like that—coming back from 2-0 down—it wasn't easy, especially given how this World Cup is playing out and the fact that no-one is just rolling over," he said. "It was a moment of pure happiness and relief; we wanted to stay in the tournament. We didn't want today to be the end, we didn't want to go home."

The epic contest saw Messi miss a first-half penalty for the second time this tournament, and Egypt had a second-half goal ruled out in a controversial VAR decision. Furious Egypt coach Hossam Hassan claimed his side had been "cheated," saying: "We haven't seen respect or fair play. There has not been respect or fair play." He alleged officials had been pressured to keep Argentina in the competition: "Perhaps they wanted to keep the world champions in the competition. Perhaps they wanted Messi to stay in the running."

Hassan also complained about the noon kick-off scheduling, saying: "Whoever schedules those matches has never played football. At noon you go for a walk or to eat brunch, you do not go to play football." He added he would not watch any more matches of the tournament.

Argentina will play Switzerland in the quarter-finals in Kansas City on Saturday after the Europeans edged past Colombia 4-3 on penalties following a 0-0 draw, securing their first quarter-final appearance since hosting in 1954.

Earlier, the United States exited the tournament after a 4-1 thrashing by Belgium, a match overshadowed by controversy over striker Folarin Balogun, who was allowed to play after a FIFA reprieve following President Trump's intervention. Belgian players celebrated by trolling Trump, mimicking his signature "Y.M.C.A" dance in the locker room.

Meanwhile, the US Soccer Federation indicated coach Mauricio Pochettino may stay on, saying discussions with the Argentine were ongoing. The quarter-final line-up is now complete, with France facing Morocco on Thursday to kick off the last eight.

end/wsp/rh/