Egyptian National Team's Impressive Exit
Defending champions Argentina staged a dramatic comeback, overturning Egypt with a late three-goal burst in Atlanta yesterday to deny the Pharaohs an unprecedented spot in the quarter-finals of the North American World Cup.
Egypt had taken the lead with goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Zico in the 15th and 67th minutes. Between those goals, the Video Assistant Referee (VAR) intervened to disqualify a goal scored by Zico in the 58th minute due to an infraction against his teammate Marwan Atiya during the buildup. However, Lionel Messi, the star and captain of Argentina, rose to the occasion at a critical moment, delivering a cross that Christian Romero headed into the net in the 79th minute to reduce the Tango’s deficit to one goal.
In the 84th minute, Messi took matters into his own hands, scoring with a powerful shot from inside the penalty area. The defending champions snatched the victory and a place in the next round when Enzo Fernández headed in a third goal in the 93rd minute following a brilliant cross from Lautaro Martínez. Argentina will now face Switzerland or Colombia on Saturday in Kansas City, the two teams that met later in Vancouver to conclude the round of 16.
Enzo: I’ve been waiting for this goal for three years
Enzo Fernández, Argentina’s midfielder, said: “I had been waiting for this goal for about three years, since the World Cup in Qatar. To experience moments like these, honestly, I thank God. I am lucky.”
Fernández praised his teammates, noting that “we have an amazing squad, a group that never gives up no matter the difficulties and hardships. We are always together. Thanks to my teammates, the coaching staff, everyone who supported us here, and all Argentinians back home. Well, it’s another step forward.”
• Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobair, who saved a penalty kick taken by Mehdi Taremi of Iran during the group stage, became the fourth goalkeeper to save two penalties in a single World Cup edition. The 26-year-old equaled the achievements of Poles Jan Tomaszewski and Wojciech Szczęsny, and American Brad Friedel.
