Egypt looked poised to score a famous victory at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico left them 2-0 up with just 11 minutes of normal time remaining.
But Cristian Romero’s 79th-minute header from a pinpoint Messi cross gave the defending champions a lifeline at 2-1.
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Four minutes later, Messi volleyed in a superb equaliser – his eighth goal of the tournament – to make it 2-2 and spark wild celebrations among the huge contingent of Argentina fans in the 68,239 crowd.
With extra-time looming, Enzo Fernandez then nodded in a sensational winner in the second minute of time added on to finally break Egypt’s resistance.
Fernandez’s goal capped what had been an epic contest, which saw Messi miss a first-half penalty for the second time this tournament, and Egypt have a second-half goal ruled out in a controversial VAR decision.
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Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was unable to hide his emotions after the match.
“I can’t look up, I’m sorry. I’m really emotional right now,” Scaloni said. “What a group of players, man. That’s it, I’ve got to go.”
The win was another nailbiting close shave for Argentina, who had been taken to the wire by Cape Verde in an extra-time thriller in the last 32 on Friday.
Photo: REUTERS/Carlos Barria
