Pharaohs turned into mummies! Argentina's impressive comeback scripts Egypt's tragic World Cup ending

Copy Senegal - paste Egypt! Only the Pharaohs' tragedy was a bit worse…

Hossam Hassan’s lads were 2-0 up until the final 10 minutes of the game against the reigning world champions Argentina, and it still wasn’t enough.

Until the 79th minute, Egypt played a marvelous match against a lost South American side, who had no idea how to break down the fortress in front of Mostafa Shobeir and beat the custodian.

Thanks to Yasser Ibrahim’s 15th-minute opener and Mostafa Ziko’s 67th-minute goal, Egypt came immensely close to the impressive win.

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Shobeir stopped Lionel Messi’s penalty in the 21st minute, while another Pharaohs’ goal - scored by Ziko in the 58th minute - was ruled out for a controversial foul. Everything seemed perfect.

And then, the African team crumbled… In the span of 13 minutes, La Albiceleste scored three goals through Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi, and Enzo Fernandez, and put Egypt’s World Cup campaign to a tragic end.

Another team from the mother continent came so close to victory but suffered a painful defeat. Sad, but evident truth - something is missing.

Encouraged and inspired by Cabo Verde's terrific performance against the world champions, Egypt came out boldly and stunned their rivals, breaking the deadlock just a quarter of an hour into the game.

Defender Yasser Ibrahim met Marwan Attia's cross with a perfect header, putting the Pharaohs in front.

However, just six minutes later, they were the ones to be stunned, as Argentina were awarded a penalty after Haissem Hassan brought Nicolas Tagliafico down in the box.

Lionel Messi took responsibility but failed to convert the spot-kick, with Mostafa Shobeir superbly keeping out his effort. It was Leo's second missed penalty in the tournament and fourth at the World Cup overall (from eight attempts).

Despite the early twists and turns, Lionel Scaloni's men took control of the match and dominated until the break. Still, apart from Messi's free-kick that crashed against the post, La Albiceleste couldn't beat Shobeir, who made a couple of massive saves to preserve Egypt's lead at halftime.

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The same story continued after the break, as Argentina were determined to attack heavily, while the Pharaohs seemed even more focused on defence. However, that was only their trick...

In the 58th minute, Haissem Hassan and Mohamed Salah initiated a fantastic counterattack, which Mostafa Ziko finished with a goal. Nevertheless, VAR eventually ruled it out for a controversial foul on Lisandro Martinez.

When many thought Egypt would crumble, they recreated a familiar nightmare for their rivals just nine minutes later.

Once again Hassan and Salah were the organizers, while Ziko was the ruthless finisher. This time, VAR couldn't help La Albiceleste - the Pharaohs were 2-0 up!

Still, Argentina wouldn't be on the world throne if they gave up easily. In the 79th minute, they finally managed to break the rivals' fortress, as Cristian Romero headed Messi's cross into the net.

This was the signal for Lionel Scaloni's men to launch an all-out-attack in a desperate pursuit of the equalizer, and then Leo finally delivered! In just four minutes, La Albiceleste wiped out Egypt's 2-0 lead and completely changed the momentum.

The Pharaohs seemed shocked, disheartened, and lost, and an experienced team like Argentina knew how to exploit that vulnerability. In the second minute of added time, the South American side launched one of their rare counterattacks tonight, but it was nothing but impeccable. Lautaro Martinez crossed the ball from the right flank, and Enzo Fernandez found the net with a magnificent header, completing Argentina's stellar comeback!

After a win like this, Scaloni's team's confidence is sky-high. They showed weakness, but also a fantastic fighting spirit. In the quarter-finals, Argentina will face either Switzerland or Colombia, and their rival will be decided tonight in the two teams' head-to-head clash.

WORLD CUP - KNOCKOUT STAGE

Round of 16

Saturday

Canada - Morocco 0-3 (0-0)

/Ounahi 50, 82, Rahimi 90+8/

Sunday

France - Paraguay 1-0 (0-0)

/Mbappe 70 pen/

Brazil - Norway 1-2 (0-0)

/Neymar 90+10 pen - Haaland 79, 90/

Monday

Mexico - England 2-3 (1-2)

/Quinones 42, Jimenez 69 pen - Bellingham 36,38, Kane 60 pen/

Portugal - Spain 0-1 (0-0)

/Merino 90+1/

Tuesday

USA - Belgium 1-4 (1-2)

/Tillman 31 - De Ketelaere 9, 33, Vanaken 57, Lukaku 90+3/

Argentina - Egypt 3-2 (0-1)

/Romero 79, Messi 83, Fernandez 90+2 - Ibrahim 15, Ziko 67/

23.00: (3.40) Switzerland (3.25) Colombia (2.30)

***odds are subject to change***