Egypt loses to Argentina 3-2, bows out of World Cup after historic run
Egypt's Round of 16 appearance was the deepest run in the national team's World Cup history after three previous appearances ended in the group stage.
Egypt's historic World Cup run came to an end Tuesday after the Pharaohs fell to tournament favorites Argentina 3-2 in the Round of 16.
Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 15th minute with a header before Mostafa Ziko doubled Egypt’s lead in the 67th minute with a finish off a cross. Argentina had a chance to respond in the 21st minute after fullback Nicolas Tagliafico drew a penalty, but Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir saved Lionel Messi’s penalty attempt. Argentina pulled one back in the 79th minute through Cristian Romero before Messi scored less than five minutes later to level the match in the 83rd minute. In the third minute of stoppage time, Enzo Fernandez scored a header to put Argentina ahead 3-2.
Argentina entered Tuesday's match having won all four of its previous matches in the tournament. The team is led by Lionel Messi, the 39-year-old global soccer icon who could be playing in his final World Cup. Argentina will face the winner of Tuesday's Switzerland-Colombia match in the quarterfinals on July 11.
Despite the loss, Egypt recorded its deepest-ever run at a World Cup after advancing to the knockout stage for the first time in the nation's history.
Egypt marked its first-ever World Cup victory with a 1-0 win over New Zealand in the group stage. The Pharaohs had previously qualified for the tournament in 1934, 1990 and 2018 but had never won a match or advanced beyond the group stage.
Led by Liverpool star Mohamed Salah, the Pharaohs advanced through the group stage unbeaten, finishing second behind Belgium with five points after defeating New Zealand and drawing with Belgium and Iran. Egypt then defeated Australia 4-2 on penalties in the Round of 32 after the sides remained level through extra time to book its first appearance in the knockout rounds.
Coach Hossam Hassan, one of Egypt's greatest former players, has received widespread praise for guiding the country to its best-ever World Cup finish.
Although Egypt's tournament ended in Atlanta, the team's run represented a breakthrough for a national side that had spent decades struggling to make an impact on the world's biggest stage.
With Egypt eliminated, Morocco remains the only team from the Middle East and Africa still alive at the World Cup. The Atlas Lions will face France in the quarterfinals on Thursday after advancing past Canada in the Round of 16.
