​The FIFA World Cup moved into the quarter-finals after Argentina staged a dramatic comeback to defeat Egypt, while Switzerland edged Colombia in a penalty shootout. Here is our detailed recap of all the action from Tuesday, including moments you might have missed overnight.
Argentina looked perilously close to crashing out of the tournament after falling two goals behind to Egypt in Atlanta, but they staged a remarkable turnaround to keep their campaign alive. Yasser Ibrahim got the opener for the Egyptians with a header from a corner in the 15th minute, catching the reigning champions off guard. Lionel Messi was awarded a chance to level soon after when Nico Tagliafico was fouled in the box, but Mostafa Shobeir guessed the right way to save the penalty.
Egypt thought they had doubled their lead in the second half when Mostafa Ziko finished off a superb counter-attack, yet the strike was ruled out after VAR spotted a foul on Lisandro Martinez at the start of the move. Ziko didn’t have to wait long for another opportunity, and he didn’t waste it, converting a subsequent counter-attack to extend the lead and leave Argentina facing a stern test.
Argentina, who had not troubled Egypt much for long stretches, found their spark in the final 20 minutes, upping the pressure on the North African side. They finally found a breakthrough in the 79th minute when Cristian Romero headed in from Messi’s cross. The momentum swung further in their favor moments later when the 39-year-old Messi equalised, pouncing on a loose ball and firing a powerful shot that Shobeir could not keep out. The match seemed poised for extra time until Lautaro Martinez delivered a curling cross for Enzo Fernandez, whose header found the net to complete the comeback. The celebrations were emotional for Argentina, with Messi seen in tears as the whistle blew to confirm the win. La Albiceleste, unexpectedly drawn into tough, high-stakes clashes — first with Cape Verde and then with Egypt — proved their mettle, producing a series of results far more entertaining and dramatic than many had anticipated.
If Argentina’s rollercoaster of a match was chaotic and thrilling, the tie between Switzerland and Colombia felt like a more restrained carousel in comparison. The Vancouver contest unfolded at a slower pace, with both teams seemingly content to rely on the possibility of penalties. Colombia held the edge in chances, especially in extra time, when they outshot the Swiss 8-1 over the half-hour period. Despite their dominance, it was not enough to secure a victory in open play, and the tie moved toward a shootout.
In the shootout, former Tottenham Hotspur defender Davinson Sánchez struck his penalty against the crossbar, giving Switzerland a moment of anxiety before Manuel Akanji’s subsequent effort bypassed the bar as well, finding its target but still keeping the Swiss hopes afloat. Colombia could not capitalize on the opportunity to follow up with a successful kick, as Juan [Hernán] couldn’t convert, sealing the advantage for Switzerland. The failure to convert by Colombia, combined with Switzerland’s successful penalties, decided the tie in favor of the Swiss, who advanced to the next round.
Overall, Tuesday delivered a mix of dramatic turnarounds and tense shootouts, illustrating once again why the World Cup captivates fans with unpredictable moments and enduring stories. Ronaldo’s retirement chatter continues to surface in media reports following the tournament, underscoring how much the event resonates beyond the field of play.