Argentina claimed a stunning 3-2 win over Egypt at the World Cup in their round-of-16 thriller, with Lionel Messi on the scoresheet in Atlanta as his story goes on
Lionel Messi was in tears(Image: ITV)
Lionel Messi was in tears as the full-time whistle went following Argentina’s dramatic victory over Egypt at the World Cup.
The defending champions claimed a 3-2 win over Egypt in the last-16 tie in Atlanta to book their place in the quarter-final of the competition.
Argentina were in danger of being knocked out of the World Cup as they trailed 2-0 going into the closing stages of the second half.
Yasser Ibrahim and Ziko had put Egypt two goals in front in Atlanta, with the latter also having a goal disallowed in the second half for a foul in the build-up following a VAR check.
Argentina responded with three goals from Cristian Romero and Messi, before Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez put Lionel Scaloni’s team in front for the first time in the match in stoppage time.
After the final whistle, the cameras panned straight onto Messi, who could be seen in floods of tears as he celebrated Argentina’s victory in Georgia.
Argentina will now face the winners of the last-16 tie between Switzerland and Colombia in the quarter-final of the World Cup, which could set up a semi-final against England should the Three Lions get past Norway.
Earlier in the game, Messi had the opportunity to equalise for Argentina from the penalty spot after a foul from Haissem Hassan on Nicolas Tagliafico.
Messi stepped up and saw his penalty saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, but later found the back of the net with an equaliser to get Argentina back to 2-2 heading into the final minutes in Atlanta.
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ITV pundits Gary Neville and Ian Wright explained whether they think Argentina should choose a different penalty-taker to Messi going forward after his miss.
“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 then 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.”
The goal from Messi also means that Messi has now scored in a record-equalling ninth World Cup match in a row, and has taken his tally up to eight in the tournament this time around.
Messi has now moved ahead of both Kylian Mbappe (France) and Erling Haaland (Norway) in the battle for the Golden Boot.
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