Messi and Enzo Fernandez rescue Argentina in stunning World Cup thriller
The holders trailed by two late on before a quickfire double from Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez sparked an unforgettable comeback against Egypt.
World Cup holders Argentina produced a remarkable late turnaround to beat Egypt 3-2 in a match that will go down as one of the tournament's greatest. Trailing 2-0 with just over 20 minutes remaining, Lionel Scaloni's side looked to be heading for a shock defeat. But two goals in stoppage time turned the contest on its head and kept their title defence alive.
Egypt had taken a deserved lead through Mostafa Ziko in the 67th minute, a strike that silenced the majority of the Atlanta crowd. The African side had already caused problems all evening and appeared on course for a famous victory against the reigning champions. Argentina, despite dominating possession, had lacked cutting edge and wasted a first-half penalty through Messi.
However, with time running out, the captain atoned for his earlier miss. Messi collected the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a powerful drive that crashed in off the crossbar. It was his eighth goal of the tournament and extended his record as the all-time leading scorer in the competition. The strike brought Argentina level with just minutes remaining and reignited belief among their supporters.
If the equaliser was special, what followed was extraordinary. Deep into stoppage time, Lautaro Martinez delivered a pinpoint cross from the right flank. Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernandez rose highest and directed a superb header into the far corner. The 24-year-old's finish sent the Argentine bench into wild celebrations and completed a stunning recovery from two goals down.
The three goals came in the space of just 13 minutes, a flurry that left Egypt heartbroken after they had been so close to eliminating the holders. For Argentina, the result raises questions about their defensive fragility even as it underscores their never-say-die spirit. Scaloni's side have now won all three group matches but have conceded in each of them, a concern as they progress deeper into the knockout stages.
Messi's influence remains decisive. At 39, the forward continues to produce moments of magic when his team need them most. Fernandez, meanwhile, has shown the composure that made him a key figure in Chelsea's midfield and a vital cog in the national setup. Their late double act ensured Argentina avoided what would have been the biggest upset of the competition so far.
Latest news from the tournament suggests Argentina will now face a tricky path to the final, but performances like this build character. Whether the comeback masks underlying issues or proves the hallmark of champions will become clear in the coming rounds.