Lionel Messi stood in the centre of Atlanta Stadium in floods of tears, sobbing on the shoulders of his team-mates, after Argentina pulled off one of the most remarkable comebacks the World Cup has ever seen. The defending champions, trailing 2-0 with less than 20 minutes left, scored three goals in 14 minutes to snatch a 3-2 victory over Egypt and book their place in the quarter-finals.
For much of the match, it seemed Messi would suffer the same fate as his great contemporary Cristiano Ronaldo, who made an emotional farewell to the World Cup after Portugal's injury-time loss to Spain. Argentina's great sporting icon had been captured on the giant screens looking up in despair as Egypt led through goals in each half from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico – the latter having had an earlier goal ruled out by VAR for a foul at the other end of the pitch. Keeper Mostafa Shobeir was in inspired form, even saving a first-half penalty from Messi – the fourth of eight spot-kicks the 39-year-old has failed to convert at a World Cup, making him the only player (excluding shootouts) to miss two penalties in a single tournament.
“Messi in tears as Argentina score three goals in 14 minutes to beat Egypt 3-2 and reach World Cup quarter-finals.”
But there was still time for Messi to again produce moments that shape a game. With only 11 minutes left, he crossed for Cristiano Romero to give Argentina hope with a header. Four minutes and 18 seconds later, Messi sent a left-footed shot flashing high past Shobeir and in off the bar. Then, in stoppage time, Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez headed home the winner for the most heartbreaking of exits for Egypt.
After the final whistle, the cameras panned straight onto Messi, who could be seen in floods of tears as he celebrated with his team-mates. From the depths of despair, he was being tossed high into the air by his team-mates in front of Argentina's fans, who stayed in place long after the final whistle going through their full setlist of songs to a thudding drumbeat. Messi's goal also meant he has now scored in a record-equalling ninth World Cup match in a row, taking his tally to eight in the tournament this time around, moving ahead of both Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the battle for the Golden Boot.
The penalty miss prompted debate among ITV pundits. “I can't imagine anybody,” Ian Wright said of the idea of choosing a different penalty-taker. “Can you imagine being in that dressing room? It's like saying to Ronaldo: 'No, I'll take them'. Scaloni's not going to say that, either.” Gary Neville added: “They're impossible, these players at that stature, to be able to communicate with around stuff like this. They want every penalty, they want every free-kick.”
Argentina will now face Switzerland in the quarter-final, after Switzerland beat Colombia 4-3 on penalties following a goalless draw. A potential semi-final against England looms if the Three Lions get past Norway. For now, Messi's story continues – written in tears, but this time of relief.