Lionel Messi revealed that his tearful reaction after Argentina's dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the World Cup last-16 was a mix of relief and frustration over his missed penalty. The defending champions were on the brink of elimination after falling 2-0 behind, but staged a stunning 13-minute fightback to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.
Messi's penalty miss and early deficit
Egypt took the lead in the 15th minute through Yasser Ibrahim's header. Argentina had a golden chance to equalize in the 21st minute when Nicolas Tagliafico was fouled by Haissem Hassa inside the box, but Messi's penalty was comfortably saved by goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. This extended Messi's poor penalty record at World Cups to four misses from eight attempts.
Egypt doubled their lead in the 67th minute when Mostafa Zico finished off a stunning counter-attack, leaving Argentina's hopes hanging by a thread. Messi described his frustration: 'I was really frustrated about the penalty, for missing it and taking it badly. If I had scored that penalty, it would have changed the game.'
Argentina's remarkable comeback
Argentina refused to give up. Cristian Romero pulled one back with a header, before Messi and Enzo Fernandez both scored in a pulsating 13-minute spell at Atlanta's Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The 2022 champions held on to secure a 3-2 victory and advance to the quarter-finals, where they will face the winner of Switzerland vs Colombia.
Messi explained his emotional reaction: 'It was a relief for everyone. It's not easy to come back from 2-0 down, but this group never gives up; they fight until the very end. We were lucky to get Cuti's [Romero] goal early on, we were able to turn it around and we won in 90 minutes.'
Messi's World Cup record and next match
Messi's 83rd-minute strike took his goalscoring tally to eight at this summer's tournament, moving him one clear of France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland. The eight-time Ballon d'Or winner now has 21 goals in 31 appearances in his six World Cups, two more than Mbappe's 19 goals in 19 games.
Argentina will continue their title defence at 2am BST on Sunday against either Switzerland or Colombia at Kansas' Arrowhead Stadium. If they progress, they would face England or Norway in the semi-finals.
Scaloni's emotional reaction
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni was similarly emotional after the fightback, joking that his players nicknamed him 'the cry baby' in the dressing room. 'I always get emotional. Sometimes the tears come out. 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,' Scaloni said.
