From collapse to comeback: Argentina edge Egypt in five-goal World Cup thriller
Enzo Fernández completed the turnaround deep into stoppage time, converting after an assist from Lisandro Martínez to put Argentina 3-2 ahead and leave Egypt on the brink of elimination.
Argentina overturned a two-goal deficit with three late strikes to defeat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup round-of-16 clash at Atlanta Stadium.
Egypt looked set to produce one of the tournament's biggest shocks after Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico put them 2-0 ahead, while Lionel Messi missed a first-half penalty.
Argentina finally found a way back through Cristian Romero in the 81st minute before Messi levelled five minutes later.
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Enzo Fernández then completed the turnaround deep into stoppage time, converting after an assist from Lisandro Martínez to put Argentina 3-2 ahead and leave Egypt on the brink of elimination.
Earlier, Zico finished a move created by Haissem Hassan to make it 2-0, leaving Lionel Scaloni's side facing elimination and with little time to rescue their title defence.
Yasser Ibrahim had earlier broken the deadlock in the 15th minute to give Egypt a dream start. Argentina were handed an immediate opportunity to respond when Haissem Hassan brought down Nicolás Tagliafico inside the penalty area four minutes later.
Lionel Messi stepped up to take the resulting penalty, but Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved his effort to preserve the African side's lead.
Egypt also had another effort ruled out after the interval before Zico eventually scored their second goal, putting the Pharaohs firmly in control of the last-16 tie.
Earlier, Argentina have made three changes to their starting XI for Tuesday's Fifa World Cup Round of 16 clash against Egypt, with Lionel Messi and Julián Alvarez leading the attack at Atlanta Stadium.
Kick-off is scheduled for 10pm Bangladesh time, with the winners advancing to the quarter-finals to face either Switzerland or Colombia.
Head coach Lionel Scaloni has recalled Nicolás Tagliafico, Leandro Paredes and Julián Alvarez, who replace Facundo Medina, Thiago Almada and Lautaro Martínez respectively from the side that defeated Cape Verde in the Round of 32.
Argentina line up in a 4-4-2 formation, with Messi partnering Alvarez in attack. Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Paredes and Enzo Fernández form the midfield, while Cristian Romero and Lisandro Martínez marshal the defence in front of goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan has also named a 4-4-2 side, with captain Mohamed Salah leading the line alongside Mostafa Zico. Mostafa Shobeir starts in goal behind a back four of Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Ramy Rabia and Karim Hafez.
French referee François Letexier will officiate the match, with Jérôme Brisard serving as the Video Assistant Referee (VAR).
Starting XIs
Argentina (4-4-2): Emiliano Martínez; Nahuel Molina, Cristian Romero, Lisandro Martínez, Nicolás Tagliafico; Rodrigo De Paul, Alexis Mac Allister, Leandro Paredes, Enzo Fernández; Lionel Messi (c), Julián Alvarez.
Egypt (4-4-2): Mostafa Shobeir; Mohamed Hany, Yasser Ibrahim, Ramy Rabia, Karim Hafez; Emam Ashour, Marwan Attia, Mohanad Lasheen, Haissem Hassan; Mohamed Salah (c), Mostafa Zico.
