Tearful Messi inspires Argentina’s great escape in World Cup thriller with Egypt

Lionel Messi led Argentina to a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in a thrilling Round of 16 match at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, despite an earlier missed penalty by the captain. Argentina found themselves trailing 2-0 with only eleven minutes of regular time remaining, but a late surge saw them score three goals, including a crucial equalizer from Messi, to secure their spot in the quarter-finals. After the final whistle, a visibly emotional Messi shed tears of joy and relief following his team's "great escape."

The dramatic encounter was not without controversy, as Egypt's coach expressed his belief that his team was "cheated" by officiating decisions during the match, including a disallowed goal and unawarded penalty appeals. Separately, the 2026 World Cup has seen other officiating disputes, such as a debated VAR offside call in a match involving Switzerland and Qatar. Furthermore, FIFA's decision to appoint an all-Argentine refereeing team for the upcoming France versus Morocco quarter-final has generated significant discussion, particularly given the historical rivalry between France and Argentina.