Messi leads Argentina's late escape as Egypt's dream fades

ATLANTA, July 7: It seemed, for the greater part of the evening, that Argentina's reign as world champions was nearing an unexpectedly early conclusion. Then Lionel Messi, who has so often altered the course of such occasions, intervened once more, scoring once and creating another as Argentina recovered from two goals down to defeat Egypt 3-2 and advance to the FIFA World Cup quarterfinals here on Tuesday.

The scoreline scarcely reflected the balance of the contest for almost eighty minutes. Egypt were organised without being timid, disciplined without surrendering ambition. They defended compactly, denied Argentina the spaces they habitually seek and, when possession was regained, advanced with an assurance that repeatedly unsettled the South American defence.

Their reward arrived in the 15th minute when Yasser Ibrahim, left unattended inside the area, converted from close range after Argentina failed to clear a dangerous delivery. It was no more than Egypt deserved.

Argentina responded with possession but little penetration. Messi drifted across the attacking third in search of openings, yet Egypt's defensive lines remained narrow and alert. Julian Alvarez and Lautaro Mart nez were largely anonymous, while the midfield circulated the ball without the pace or imagination needed to disturb a well-drilled opponent.

If there was anxiety among the Argentine supporters before the interval, it deepened after 67 minutes. Egypt broke with speed, Haissem Hassan supplied the final pass and Mostafa Zico finished calmly beyond Emiliano Mart nez to make it 2-0. At that moment the champions looked a side burdened more by expectation than inspired by reputation.

Football, however, rarely dismisses players of uncommon authority until the final whistle has sounded.

With 11 minutes remaining, Messi delivered the sort of cross that asks only to be finished. Cristian Romero obliged, rising above his marker to head firmly beyond Mostafa Shobeir. It was, perhaps, less the goal itself than the conviction it restored that altered the character of the match.

Argentina suddenly played with urgency instead of frustration. Egypt, impeccable for so long, retreated a few yards deeper and began to feel the weight of the occasion.

The equaliser came four minutes later. Egypt failed to clear decisively, substitute Gonzalo Montiel chose the simpler pass instead of the ambitious shot, and Messi, arriving with perfect timing, struck first time. The ball clipped the crossbar on its way into the net, giving the captain yet another World Cup milestone as he became the first player to score in six successive knockout-stage matches.

Extra time appeared inevitable. Argentina had other ideas.

In the second minute of stoppage time Lautaro Mart nez escaped down the right and, resisting the temptation to shoot from a narrowing angle, measured an inviting cross towards Enzo Fern ndez. The midfielder's header into the far corner completed a comeback that, half an hour earlier, had seemed beyond even Argentina's considerable powers.

Egypt continued to press through an unusually long period of added time but could not summon one final opportunity. Their disappointment was understandable. For much of the evening they had controlled not merely the scoreline but the rhythm of the game, only to discover, as so many opponents have before them, that a match involving Messi is seldom concluded before he decides it is.

Argentina progress to the quarterfinals with relief rather than satisfaction. They survived not because they dominated the contest, but because, when the margin between defeat and deliverance narrowed to a single moment, they possessed the one player capable of changing its course almost by force of habit.

(UNI)