Lionel Messi stood in the centre of Atlanta Stadium in floods of tears, sobbing on the shoulders of his team-mates, after adding another remarkable World Cup victory to the story of his incredible career. Argentina had trailed 2-0 with less than 20 minutes left, and the giant screens captured their great sporting icon looking up in despair. But this defiant Argentina decided that simply was not going to happen, scoring three goals in 14 minutes to turn the game around in one of the most remarkable comebacks the World Cup has ever seen.
Egypt had led through goals in each half from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico – the latter of whom had an earlier goal ruled out by the video assistant referee for a foul. Keeper Mostafa Shobeir was in inspired form, even saving a first-half penalty from Messi – the fourth of eight spot-kicks he has failed to score at a World Cup, meaning he became the only player (excluding shootouts) to fail to convert two penalties in a single World Cup. Having also missed against Austria, it was a familiar frustration.
“Lionel Messi cried with relief after Argentina scored three late goals to beat Egypt 3-2 and reach the World Cup quarter-finals.”
But with only 11 minutes left, Messi crossed for Cristian 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. Egypt had given everything, finally succumbing to Enzo Fernandez's header in stoppage time for the most heartbreaking of exits.
After the final whistle, cameras panned onto Messi, who could be seen in floods of tears. He was later tossed high into the air by his team-mates in front of Argentina's fans, who stayed long after the final whistle going through their full setlist of songs to a thudding drumbeat.
ITV pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright discussed whether Argentina should choose a different penalty-taker. "I can't imagine anybody," Wright said. "Can you imagine being in that dressing room? It's like saying to [Cristiano] Ronaldo: 'No, I'll take them'. [Lionel] Scaloni's not going to say that, either." 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."
Messi's goal was his eighth of the tournament, moving him ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the Golden Boot race, and he has now scored in a record-equalling ninth World Cup match in a row. Argentina will face the winners of the last-16 tie between Switzerland and Colombia in the quarter-final, which could set up a semi-final against England should the Three Lions get past Norway. For now, the holders and their talisman live to fight another day.