Argentina produced one of the greatest escape acts in World Cup history, scoring three goals in 14 minutes at the very end to overturn a two-goal deficit and beat Egypt 3-2 Tuesday, with Lionel Messi redeeming an earlier penalty miss to keep the defending champions' title defence alive.
For 79 minutes, Argentina looked destined for a sensational last-16 exit. Egypt, fearless and disciplined, stunned the world champions with first-half and second-half goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, while goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir delivered a heroic performance that included saving Messi's first-half penalty.
But when Argentina appeared finished, their captain dragged them back.
Cristian Romero ignited the comeback in the 79th minute, powering home Messi's inviting cross to halve the deficit. Four minutes later, Messi himself found the equaliser, smashing home after Gonzalo Montiel's touch, the ball squeezing through Shobeir's hands and in off the underside of the crossbar.
With extra time looming, Argentina struck the decisive blow in stoppage time. Lautaro Martinez broke forward and delivered a teasing cross that Enzo Fernandez met with a perfectly cushioned header to complete an astonishing turnaround and send more than 68,000 fans inside Atlanta Stadium into delirium.
It was another unforgettable chapter in Messi's extraordinary World Cup career.
The 39-year-old endured one of his lowest moments early in the contest when Shobeir brilliantly guessed correctly to save his penalty after Nicolas Tagliafico had been fouled. It was Messi's second penalty miss of the tournament, and with Egypt defending resolutely, it seemed likely to prove decisive.
Instead, the Argentina captain responded in trademark fashion. He created Romero's goal, scored the equaliser, finished with a goal and an assist, and was once again the heartbeat of his team's survival.
The goal was his eighth of the tournament, strengthening his lead in the Golden Boot race, while he also extended his remarkable World Cup scoring record and became the first player to score in six consecutive World Cup knockout matches.
Yet Argentina's victory was far from straightforward.
Egypt had arrived as clear underdogs but produced one of the performances of the tournament. Ibrahim headed them in front after just 15 minutes before Shobeir frustrated Argentina with a string of outstanding saves from Messi, Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez.
The Pharaohs thought they had doubled their advantage midway through the second half when Zico finished a lightning counterattack, only for VAR to rule out the goal after spotting a foul by Marwan Attia earlier in the move. The decision sparked fierce protests from the Egyptian bench and remained a major talking point after the match.
Egypt refused to be discouraged, however. Just minutes later they carved Argentina open again, with Mohamed Salah launching another swift break before Haissem Hassan squared for Zico to make it 2-0.
The Egyptians were within touching distance of the biggest victory in their football history before Argentina's late surge snatched it away.
While controversy over the disallowed goal is certain to continue, Egypt depart with immense credit after pushing the reigning champions to the brink.
Argentina, meanwhile, survive another huge scare after requiring extra time to overcome Cape Verde in the previous round. Their resilience remains unquestionable, but defensive vulnerabilities have again been exposed before a quarter-final meeting with either Switzerland or Colombia.