Lionel Messi could not hold back his emotions after another dramatic World Cup triumph, breaking down in tears as he was embraced by his Argentina teammates at Atlanta Stadium. The veteran forward had just experienced another extraordinary chapter in his international career, one that looked close to ending in disappointment before a stunning late turnaround.
The holders appeared to be heading out when Egypt built a two-goal advantage with less than 20 minutes remaining. Messi was shown on the stadium screens looking devastated as Argentina faced the possibility of a shock elimination.
At that moment, the Argentine captain’s emotions could have reflected the heartbreak suffered by Cristiano Ronaldo, who had already made an emotional World Cup exit after Portugal’s injury-time defeat by Spain.
However, Argentina refused to accept defeat. In a remarkable 14-minute spell, they scored three times to complete one of the tournament’s most dramatic comebacks and keep their title defence alive.
Messi’s magic appears when Argentina need him most
Although Messi is now 39 and no longer relies on constant movement, his influence remains enormous. He saves his energy, studies the game, and waits for the moments when his quality can change everything.
The physical side of his game may have changed, but his intelligence and ability to decide matches remain untouched. Against Egypt, he once again proved that his instincts and vision can still transform the biggest occasions.
Egypt had taken control through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico, while goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir produced a brilliant performance to frustrate Argentina. Zico had earlier thought he had scored again, but his effort was ruled out by VAR after a foul was spotted elsewhere in the build-up.
Messi himself missed a first-half penalty, with Shobeir making the save. It was another difficult moment from the spot for the Argentine, who failed to convert two penalties during the tournament — becoming the only player, excluding shootouts, to miss two World Cup penalties in a single edition.
Argentina complete a stunning comeback
Despite their struggles, Argentina found their response when the pressure was at its highest. With only 11 minutes remaining, Messi delivered a crucial cross that allowed Cristian Romero to reduce the deficit with a header.
Just over four minutes later, the captain produced the moment only he could create, sending a powerful left-footed strike beyond Shobeir and into the net after the ball went in off the crossbar.
Egypt continued to fight until the end, but their hopes disappeared in stoppage time when Enzo Fernandez scored with a header to complete the turnaround.
The scenes after the final whistle showed the scale of the escape. Messi was lifted into the air by his teammates while Argentina’s supporters remained in the stands, celebrating with songs and drums long after the match had finished.
Messi’s brilliance creates problems for England
The victory also changed the possible route to the final for England. When Egypt were leading 2-0, there was a sense that England’s chances of reaching their first men’s World Cup final since 1966 had improved significantly.
A possible path involving Norway in the quarterfinals and Egypt, Switzerland, or Colombia in the next round had appeared. Instead, Argentina remain a potential obstacle, with Messi still standing in their way.
Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson described the match as extraordinary, highlighting Argentina’s revival and Egypt’s frustration over refereeing decisions. He also praised Messi’s decisive contribution, pointing to his assist, his goal, and the impact of Argentina’s substitutions.
Messi’s numbers underline his influence. He became the first player in World Cup history to score in six consecutive knockout-stage matches and now has eight goals in this tournament. He has also played a direct role in 16 goals across his last nine World Cup games, with 13 goals and three assists.
Champions find a way to survive
Argentina’s latest escape was not only about Messi. Lionel Scaloni’s team showed the resilience expected from champions, combining individual quality with determination and a refusal to surrender.
The team’s ability to overcome difficult situations have remained one of their defining qualities. Even when they struggle, they continue searching for a way back into matches — and having Messi gives them an extra source of belief.
This comeback became the latest example of World Cup drama, with Argentina recovering from a two-goal deficit later than any team had ever done before in the competition without requiring extra time. According to Opta’s win probability data, Argentina had only a 0.6% chance of winning when Romero scored.
Among the many memorable moments of the tournament, this match stood out for its emotion and intensity. Messi’s tears at the end showed that, despite his experience and achievements, the World Cup still carries the same power to create unforgettable feelings.