Argentina survived a monumental scare in Atlanta, coming from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in the World Cup last-16 and avoid a repeat of one of Nigerian football’s proudest nights on the very same soil. Soccer

The comeback spared Lionel Messi’s side a repeat of the 1996 Atlanta Olympic football final, where Nigeria’s “Dream Team” stunned Argentina 3-2 to win gold, with Nwankwo Kanu scoring twice, including a stoppage-time equaliser, before Emmanuel Amuneke struck the winner deep into injury time. Three decades on, Argentina found themselves staring down an eerily similar scoreline against Egypt at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, before Messi and his teammates rewrote the ending.

Egypt looked set for one of the tournament’s great upsets after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico put them 2-0 up with 11 minutes of normal time remaining. Argentina struck three times in the closing stages to complete the turnaround: Cristian Romero headed in from a Messi cross in the 79th minute, Messi volleyed home the equaliser four minutes later for his eighth goal of the tournament and 21st at World Cups, and Enzo Fernandez nodded in the winner two minutes into stoppage time.

Messi had missed a first-half penalty, saved low by goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir, becoming the first player to miss two penalties at a single World Cup after also failing from the spot against Austria in the group stage. Shoubir also denied Alexis Mac Allister and Julian Alvarez with second-half saves before Argentina’s late surge overwhelmed his side. Soccer

Egypt had a second-half goal from Zico ruled out by VAR for a foul in the build-up, and were also denied a late penalty appeal after a tug on midfielder Hamdy Fathy — two decisions that fuelled their fury at full time, compounded when Argentina scored the winner moments later.

Egypt coach Hossam Hassan said afterwards he would not watch another match at the tournament, accusing officials of costing his side a famous win. “I’m going home and won’t be watching any more games from the tournament,” he told a post-match press conference. “What happened to us wasn’t fair. We should have had a penalty, a goal was disallowed, and I don’t know why it was disallowed.”

Hassan argued that his players’ effort deserved better. “Even if the goals came from mistakes, the biggest mistake is not getting what you’re entitled to from those responsible for making the decisions,” he said. “I’m the type of person who hates losing. And when it’s a defeat that feels unjust like today’s, I can only tell the fans not to be upset. We wanted so much to give them more joy.”

The coach also praised his largely home-based squad for matching a side of the holders’ pedigree. “Most of our players come from the Egyptian domestic league, while many players in other national teams are based in Europe and live in that professional environment,” he said. “Yet with predominantly local players — besides Mohamed Salah and Omar Marmoush — we were able to compete with anyone.”

Egypt forward Zico, who scored the disallowed goal, said: “We produced a great performance against the world champions. I don’t know what happened in the second half. Strange things happened that everyone saw. It was as clear as the sun in broad daylight.”

Shoubir, whose string of saves kept Egypt in the contest deep into the second half, said: “The win was within our reach. We were only missing a few small details. As everyone saw, we were close — very close — to winning but it just wasn’t meant to be.”

Fernandez, who scored the decisive header, said: “We have a phenomenal group, one that never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity. We’re always together.” Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni added: “I’m really emotional right now. What a group of players.”

Argentina, who were also pushed to extra time by Cape Verde in the last 32, advance to a quarter-final against Switzerland who edged Colombia on penalties after they both the tied goalless in regulation time.