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Updated July 8, 2026 — 7:32am,first published 4:17am
Atlanta: Lionel Messi broke down in tears at the final whistle, consoled by his Argentina teammates as the captain appeared to realise just how close his World Cup dream came to ending on Wednesday (AEST) in a game in which he missed a penalty before coming up with a vital late equaliser.
Argentina were two goals down to Egypt with just over 10 minutes to play in the last-16 tie, before staging a fightback which will live long in the memory of those inside Atlanta Stadium who witnessed Messi show his human side during and after the game.
The finale was a far cry from how the afternoon began, with Messi looking extremely relaxed despite the high stakes, giving a wry smile to the cameras as he waited to emerge from the tunnel and winking at the mascots.
His first touch was a misplaced pass, however, and when Egypt took the lead Argentina trailed for the first time at this World Cup.
The champions were handed the perfect opportunity to level six minutes after conceding the first goal, but Messi put his spot kick too close to the keeper, becoming the first player to miss two penalties at a single World Cup, excluding shootouts.
Messi sent a penalty wide in the group game with Austria, missing the chance to break Miroslav Klose’s all-time World Cup scoring record, but went on to net twice in that 2-0 win having bagged a hat-trick in the opener against Algeria.
The 39-year-old has since surged past the previous mark of 16, and against Egypt he scored for the ninth consecutive World Cup game, his 21st goal drawing Argentina level at 2-2.
Messi’s first-half performance was well below his imperious standards. He did strike a free kick against the post, but found it difficult to weave his way through the disciplined Egyptian defence.
At one stage, Argentina did well to win back possession and looked set to launch a quick counter, only to see Messi surprised by Karim Hafez who nipped in to take the ball as he waited to collect a pass.
Messi also ballooned a shot high and wide, and the largely blue-and-white-clad crowd waited expectantly for a second-half display to banish the memories of his underwhelming opening 45 minutes.
Once again, however, Egypt tore up the script.
Mostafa Zico had a goal disallowed, but Argentina failed to heed the warning and the Egyptian winger soon doubled his side’s lead.
Cristian Romero’s goal gave Argentina hope, and Messi’s gave them belief. A scramble in the box ended with Julian Alvarez’s cushioned pass back and Messi drilled in a sweet half-volley which the keeper got a hand to, but could not keep out.
Messi wheeled away in delight and celebrated as never before at this tournament, leaping into the air and pumping his fists with the momentum now firmly with Argentina.
“Leo keeps showing what a great legend he is, and we’re happy to be able to be with him,” Argentina striker Julian Alvarez told reporters. “I’m not usually someone who gets emotional, but today I felt it deeply.”
Enzo Fernandez scored the match-winning goal in stoppage time. “We have a phenomenal group, a group that never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity. We’re always together,” he said.
Argentina were given a battle royal by Cape Verde in the previous round, needing an own goal to win in extra time after twice being pegged back.
Egypt gave them an even tougher fight, however, and a major fright which may serve Messi and his teammates well as they continue their title defence in a quarter-final against Switzerland or Colombia on Sunday (AEST).
Argentina are bidding to become the first nation to win back-to-back titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962.
For Mohamed Salah and Egypt, what could have been a glorious celebration turned ugly at end, with Fernandez’s winner sparking a wild scene in front of the Egyptian bench.
A red card appeared to be shown to an irate staff member, who had to be physically restrained from going after French referee Francois Letexier. Two players on the field received yellow cards for griping vehemently about Argentina’s final goal.
Egypt coach Hossam Hassan crossed his arms – the signal for calling out racial abuse – and stated flatly that his upstart squad was victimised by a soccer establishment that wanted Messi and Argentina to advance to the quarter-finals in their pursuit of a second straight title.
“We have been treated unfairly today,” Hassan said. “We have suffered injustice.”
In a tournament already marred by allegations that US President Donald Trump influenced FIFA to overturn a one-game suspension for an American player, Egypt turned up the heat on soccer’s governing body.
“I just would like to say that we would have deserved to earn this win,” Hassan said, “but we are leaving with honour, with pride, regardless of this defeat.”
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he was overcome with emotion, shedding tears alongside Messi.
“I always get emotional. Sometimes the tears come out,” Scaloni told reporters. “The tears came in the dressing room too. The boys even call me ‘the cry baby,’ but I don’t care.
“For all of us who played soccer for 20 years, to feel what we felt today again is incredible. I think most coaches who played soccer become coaches because of days like this, because of those emotions, that adrenaline.”
Scaloni said he never felt the game had slipped away from Argentina despite Egypt’s two-goal advantage.
“I always felt the game was on our side. Beyond the result, I don’t think the team was playing badly. We had chances,” he said.
“Against Cape Verde it was worse, we really looked in trouble. Today, even when it was 0-2, the feeling was that at some point we would get a chance and could turn it around. Today we played totally different soccer.”
Scaloni also praised his 39-year-old captain Messi.
