With just over 10 minutes to play in Atlanta on Tuesday, Argentina’s World Cup title defense looked to be ending in humiliation.
After surviving a major scare against Cabo Verde—64th in the FIFA men’s rankings—at the round of 32 stage, it appeared as though Argentina had come undone against unfancied Egypt. The Pharaohs caught the world champions cold in the first half as defender Yasser Ibrahim headed in Marwan Ateya’s cross. After the break, Egypt was incisive on the counter, taking a deserved two-goal lead only after having one controversially ruled out for a foul in the build-up.
