Written by Megan Taylor, sports reporter covering international sports since 2020
Argentina World Cup knockout drama has become a recurring theme, with the defending champions surviving another major scare after overturning a 2-0 deficit to beat Egypt 3-2 in Atlanta.
Lionel Scaloni’s side became the first team to erase a two-goal deficit in the final 15 minutes of regulation in a World Cup knockout match without needing extra time, scoring three times in 13 minutes.
The late surge followed another heated moment from the same match, with Argentina’s last goal standing after Julian Alvarez’s challenge sparked VAR debate.
Argentina Keep Walking The Edge
Argentina’s win over Egypt came only days after they needed 120 minutes to beat Cape Verde 3-2.
That match was different, with Argentina twice taking the lead before Cape Verde forced extra time through Sidny Lopes Cabral’s stunning goal.
The final breakthrough came in the 111th minute, when a set-piece led to an own goal credited to Cape Verde’s Diney Borges.
Against Egypt, Argentina controlled the first half but still trailed at the break after Yasser Ibrahim scored with Egypt’s only touch in the Argentina penalty area.
Messi Magic Masks The Risk
Lionel Messi remains Argentina’s great difference-maker, but even he showed a human side against Egypt by missing a first-half penalty.
His equalising goal later changed the mood of the match, yet Argentina’s wider problem remains clear.
They are winning matches that could easily have gone the other way.
In the second half, Egypt cut through Argentina on the counter and almost went further ahead before VAR ruled out a goal.
That pattern will worry Scaloni before the quarter-final.
Argentina have quality, experience and belief, but living on narrow margins can become dangerous quickly.
Switzerland Bring A Different Test
Switzerland will not arrive in Kansas City with the same attacking spark as Egypt, but they are disciplined and hard to break.
The Swiss beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes, with Ruben Vargas converting the decisive fifth spot kick.
It was Switzerland’s first World Cup quarter-final appearance in 72 years.
They also won Group A after beating Canada and have shown enough structure to trouble an Argentina side that has not been closing matches cleanly.
Official tournament updates are available through FIFA.
