Egypt’s World Cup campaign ended in dramatic fashion as reigning champions Argentina overturned a two-goal deficit to advance from the round of 16, according to the match report. It was Egypt’s first-ever appearance in a World Cup last-16 match.
Yasser Ibrahim gave Egypt the lead in the 15th minute, and goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir produced a penalty-save from Lionel Messi that helped the Pharaohs take control for much of the contest, the report said. For almost 80 minutes, Egypt defended with discipline, launched sharp counters and relied on Mohamed Salah for attacking threat.
Haissem Hassan, selected ahead of Omar Marmoush after his cameo against Australia, was singled out as a revelation, repeatedly winning possession and driving attacks. A VAR intervention disallowed a counter goal after officials judged Lisandro Martínez had his foot trodden on in the build-up, but Egypt restored a two-goal cushion seven minutes later when Hassan set up Mostafa Zico for 2-0, the report added.
Argentina, who had looked vulnerable as the match progressed, were dragged back into the tie when Lionel Scaloni moved Messi wider on the left. From that position Messi supplied a cross for Cristian Romero to halve the deficit and, four minutes later, produced a half-volley that struck Shoubir’s crossbar and went in to level the match, according to the match report.
The turnaround ended a night that had felt increasingly promising for Egypt; Shoubir’s earlier saves and the team’s compact defending had suggested an upset was possible. The match report noted that Messi was largely kept quiet until the final quarter-hour, when a tactical shift opened the space that decided the tie.
