Messi leads Argentina to 3-2 victory over Egypt, spot in World Cup quarterfinals

Lionel Messi again starred as Argentina defeated Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday, completing another high-stakes World Cup comeback. Messi scored for a record-extending eighth goal of the tournament in the 83rd minute to level the match at 2-2, after Argentina had trailed by two with only 11 minutes of regulation remaining. Egypt’s first-half lead came from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, while Messi missed a penalty earlier when goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir saved it; he later hit the post when Argentina trailed 1-0. Cristian Romero started the rally in the 79th minute, and Enzo Fernandez scored the winning goal in stoppage time. The defending champions will face either Switzerland or Colombia in the quarterfinals on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri. The win keeps Argentina’s hopes alive for consecutive titles after Brazil’s 1958 and 1962 triumphs.