Lionel Messi was overcome with emotion as the final whistle sounded following Argentina's thrilling comeback triumph over Egypt at the World Cup. The reigning champions secured a stunning 3-2 victory against Egypt in the last-16 clash in Atlanta to secure their spot in the quarter-finals of the tournament, having faced elimination after finding themselves 2-0 down heading into the dying moments of the second half.
Match Details and Comeback
Yasser Ibrahim and Ziko had given Egypt a two-goal advantage in Atlanta, with the latter also seeing an effort ruled out in the second half for an infringement in the build-up after a VAR review. Argentina hit back with three strikes from Cristian Romero and Messi, before Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez fired Lionel Scaloni's side ahead for the first time in the encounter during added time, according to the Mirror.
Messi's Emotional Reaction
Following the final whistle, the cameras immediately focused on Messi, who was visibly weeping as he celebrated Argentina's success in Georgia. Argentina will now meet the victors of the last-16 encounter between Switzerland and Colombia in the World Cup quarter-finals, which could potentially arrange a semi-final clash with England should the Three Lions overcome Norway.
Penalty Miss and Redemption
Earlier in the match, Messi had the chance to level for Argentina from the penalty spot following a foul by Haissem Hassan on Nicolas Tagliafico. Messi took the penalty but was thwarted by Egypt's goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir; however, he later redeemed himself with an equalising goal, bringing Argentina back to a 2-2 draw in the final moments of the match in Atlanta.
Pundit Reactions
ITV pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright weighed in on whether Argentina should consider a different penalty-taker after Messi's miss. "I can't imagine anybody," Wright commented. "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 then chimed in: "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 Record
Messi's goal also signifies that he has now scored in a record-equalling ninth World Cup match consecutively, taking his total to eight in this tournament. He has now surpassed both Kylian Mbappe (France) and Erling Haaland (Norway) in the race for the Golden Boot.
