Argentina staged a remarkable late comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 in their World Cup Group B match, with two stoppage-time goals averting a disastrous defeat. The victory keeps Argentina's tournament hopes alive after a shaky performance.
Egypt Take Shock Lead
Egypt stunned the Argentine side by taking a 2-1 lead in the second half. Mohamed Salah scored a brilliant solo goal in the 65th minute, and Mahmoud Trezeguet added a second in the 78th minute, leaving Argentina on the brink of elimination. Argentina had taken an early lead through Lautaro Martinez in the 12th minute, but Egypt's resilience turned the game around.
Late Drama Unfolds
With time running out, Argentina pushed forward desperately. In the 90th minute, substitute Julian Alvarez scored from close range after a corner to level the match at 2-2. Then, in the 97th minute, Lionel Messi curled a free kick into the top corner to complete the comeback and spark wild celebrations. According to the match report, Messi's goal was his 10th in World Cup tournaments, tying him with Gabriel Batistuta for the most by an Argentine.
Impact on Group B
The result leaves Argentina second in Group B with three points, behind leaders Croatia who beat Nigeria earlier. Egypt remain bottom with zero points after two matches. Argentina will face Nigeria in their final group game, needing at least a draw to advance. Egypt must beat Croatia to have any chance of progressing.
Reaction and Analysis
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his team's character, saying, "We never gave up, even when it looked impossible. This team has heart." Egypt coach Carlos Queiroz expressed disappointment, stating, "We were so close to a famous victory, but football can be cruel." Analysts noted Argentina's defensive vulnerabilities but highlighted their attacking depth as a key asset.
