Messi tears up as Argentina rally past Egypt into World Cup quarter-finals

Lionel Messi sobbed at the final whistle as Argentina rescued themselves from the edge of elimination, beating Egypt 3-2 after trailing 2-0 and standing 11 minutes from a shock exit. The comeback kept the holders alive at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico, and added another chapter to Messi’s late-career tournament mythology.

Egypt had Argentina reeling after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko put the South Americans on the brink before the final stretch began to turn. Cristian Romero started the recovery, Messi levelled, and Enzo Fernandez struck two minutes into stoppage time to complete the turnaround in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 7, 2026. Messi had earlier seen a penalty saved, a miss that only sharpened the pressure on Argentina as the clock ran down.

The result carried Argentina into the quarter-finals and extended a run that has become part of Messi’s World Cup legacy. He scored in a record sixth straight World Cup knockout match, a streak that underlined how often Argentina still leans on his presence when the stakes rise and the margins narrow. Even at this stage of his career, Messi remains the player who can pull Argentina back from the brink in the tournament’s biggest moments.

Argentina’s route to the last eight was already uneasy. In their previous match, they needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2, another reminder that the defending champions have not cruised through this tournament. Against Egypt, they went one better in drama and worse in vulnerability, falling two goals behind before finding three in the closing minutes to stay in the competition.

Messi’s tears at the end reflected more than relief over one result. They captured the strain of carrying a team through another perilous night and the stubborn fact that, even as Argentina looks fragile, Messi still shapes the World Cup’s defining scenes.