Egypt surprised everyone with how they started their round of 16 clash with current holders Argentina, and one moment had Lionel Messi and Julian Alvarez visibly bemused.
There was a clear favorite coming into this tie, but the game was hotly contested from minute one. Egypt got out into the lead in the 15th minute through Yasser Ibrahim.
Messi then had a penalty saved for the second-straight World Cup match — the first player to miss two in a row in the competition’s history — but that wasn’t the moment that left the Argentina stars holding their heads.
Rather, it was another outstanding save from Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir.
Messi and Alvarez dumbfounded by second Shobeir save
The penalty from Messi was unconvincing, and Shobeir didn’t have to strain himself too much to get across to it.
Later in the first half, though, Alvarez looked destined to level things from point-blank range after a looping cross from Nicolas Tagliafico. But he would also be denied by the Egypt stopper, who got down quick to push the low effort around the post.
It was one of the saves of the tournament.
BBC Sport noted Messi and Alvarez “holding their heads in disbelief” after the impressive feat.
“Alvarez was virtually turning away in celebration when Egypt’s keeper dived to his left to stick out a hand to make a magnificent save.”
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Goalkeeping heroics have been a theme of this tournament. Cape Verde’s Vozinha was the standout example, skyrocketing to global fame thanks to his performances at the World Cup.
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