Switzerland booked their first quarter-final appearance in more than seven decades on a dramatic final day of Round of 16 action. Argentina looked down and out in Atlanta on Tuesday as Egypt threatened to pull off one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history. 

However, the champions showed their fighting spirit as they came from 2–0 down with only 11 minutes of regulation time remaining to beat the Pharaohs 3–2 in a thrilling encounter.

Ecstatic Argentine fans as their team gets to the fight another day. Photo: FIFA

Egypt stunned Lionel Scaloni’s side with a brave and disciplined performance, and for long periods it looked as if Lionel Messi’s World Cup journey was coming to an end. The African giants opened up a two-goal advantage and had Argentina chasing shadows, but the South Americans refused to surrender.

Cristian Romero sparked the comeback in the 79th minute, before Messi delivered when his country needed him most by scoring the equaliser just minutes later. With extra-time looming, Enzo Fernández completed the remarkable turnaround with a stoppage-time winner that sent the Argentine fans into wild celebrations.

It was heartbreak for Egypt, who pushed the reigning champions all the way and left the tournament with their heads held high after one of their finest World Cup campaigns. That said, Egypt truly blew the moment by letting poor discipline late in the game get in the way of what should have been a remarkable victory to stun the football world.

The victory means Argentina remains on course to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup title.

In the other Round of 16 clash on Tuesday, Switzerland created history by edging Colombia in a tense battle at BC Place in Vancouver, Canada.

After 120 minutes of football failed to produce a goal, the Swiss held their nerve in the penalty shootout to beat the South Americans 4–3 and reach the quarter-finals for the first time since hosting the tournament in 1954.

Switzerland are into the quarter-finals for the the first time since 1954. Photo: FIFA

Goalkeeper Gregor Kobel and Switzerland’s defensive unit once again proved their value, while the Europeans showed composure from the penalty spot to end Colombia’s impressive run.

With the Round of 16 now complete, attention shifts to the quarter-finals, which get underway on Thursday.

The two-time champions, France and the 2022 semi-finalists, Morocco, will open the last eight at in Boston in a mouth-watering clash between two sides with very different stories. The French remain among the favourites to go all the way, while the Atlas Lions continue to carry the hopes of Africa following their historic run.

The action continues on Friday, when Spain faces Belgium in Philadelphia in another heavyweight European showdown.

Saturday will feature the remaining two quarter-finals, with Norway facing England in Miami, before Argentina return to action against Switzerland in Kansas City.

With eight teams left standing and the pressure at its highest, the race to lift football’s biggest prize is entering its most dramatic stage.

OFM Sport/Morgan Piek sm