Argentina roar back from 2-0 down to beat Egypt, Switzerland edge Colombia on penalties to reach World Cup quarterfinals
Lionel Messi orchestrated a dramatic 3-2 comeback after Argentina trailed Egypt by two goals with 11 minutes left, while Switzerland needed penalties to get past Colombia and set up a last-eight meeting with the defending champions.
Argentina's late show
Argentina were 11 minutes from a shock exit when Cristian Romero headed in Messi's cross to start the fightback. Messi, who had missed an early penalty, equalised four minutes later after Lautaro Martinez and Gonzalo Montiel combined to keep the ball alive. Enzo Fernandez then headed the winner in the second minute of stoppage time from a Martinez cross, completing a turnaround that kept the title holders in the tournament.
I've been waiting for this goal for three years. We have a phenomenal group that never gives up.
Egypt had looked on course for one of the biggest upsets of the World Cup after Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico scored fine goals, one in each half, while goalkeeper Mostafa Shoubir saved Messi's penalty. Messi's goal took his World Cup tally to 21.
- Messi misses penalty
- Yasser Ibrahim scores for Egypt
- Mostafa Zico doubles Egypt's lead
- Cristian Romero heads in Messi cross
- Messi equalises after Lautaro Martinez and Montiel combine
- Enzo Fernandez heads winner from Lautaro Martinez cross
Switzerland hold nerve in shootout
Switzerland reached their first World Cup quarterfinal since hosting the tournament in 1954 by beating Colombia 4-3 on penalties after 120 goalless minutes at BC Place in Vancouver. Gregor Kobel saved Cucho Hernandez's spot-kick after Davinson Sanchez had struck the crossbar earlier in the shootout. Ruben Vargas converted the decisive penalty past Camilo Vargas.
Colombia created the better chances, with Jhon Lucumi heading against the bar in the 99th minute and Jaminton Campaz firing over when clean through in the 115th after a Granit Xhaka error. Switzerland's Manuel Akanji was the only Swiss player to miss from the spot.
Quarterfinal picture
Switzerland will face Argentina at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. The other quarterfinals are France against Morocco on 9 July in Boston, Spain versus Belgium on 10 July in Los Angeles, and Norway against England on 12 July in Miami. The Argentina-Switzerland match is also scheduled for 12 July, though some sources list it for 11 July.
- France vs Morocco (Boston)
- Spain vs Belgium (Los Angeles)
- Norway vs England (Miami)
- Argentina vs Switzerland (Kansas City)
Messi's enduring influence
At 39, Messi again proved decisive. His delivery for Romero's header and his own close-range finish turned the match, and his 21 World Cup goals extend a record that now spans five tournaments. Argentina, who looked beaten with 11 minutes to play, will carry that momentum into the last eight.
