Lionel Messi had a first-half penalty saved and then scored a late equaliser as title holders Argentina came roaring back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Egypt 3-2 at the Atlanta Stadium on Tuesday and continue their bid for back-to-back World Cup titles.

Enzo Fernandez headed a stoppage-time winner as Argentina produced one of the great World Cup comebacks to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta and reach the quarter-finals.

The Chelsea midfielder snatched a thrilling win for the reigning champions in the second minute of added time after his side had trailed 2-0 in the 79th minute and looked to be crashing out.

Yasser Ibrahim gave Egypt a shock half-time lead before Lionel Messi's penalty was saved and Mostafa Zico put the Pharaohs 2-0 up in the second period after his earlier effort had been ruled out by VAR.

But Cristian Romero’s header threw Argentina a lifeline and after Lionel Messi smashed home an 83rd-minute equaliser, Fernandez completed a remarkable fightback.

Yasser Ibrahim scored with a header in the 15th minute to give Egypt a surprise lead at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and Lionel Messi missed the chance to level the match when his penalty was saved by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir.

Messi also hit the post with a long-range free kick and Julian Alvarez thought he had put Argentina back into the match shortly before the break but his effort was pushed away by Shobeir.

Argentina are bidding to become the first back-to-back World Cup champion since Brazil in 1958 and '62.

-Agencies