Omotayo Fashola
(Messi fights back tears after the match. Image credit: Punch News)
Lionel Messi revealed the raw emotions behind his tears following Argentina’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Egypt in the World Cup. The captain admitted his early penalty miss haunted him, overshadowing the joy of their dramatic comeback.
After falling behind 2-0, Argentina rallied with Messi orchestrating the turnaround—providing an assist, netting the equalizer, and seeing Enzo Fernández seal the win in stoppage time. However, the star forward confessed his relief was mixed with lingering guilt over his first-half mistake from the spot.
“I felt responsible,” Messi admitted post-match. “Missing the penalty was tough—I let the team down with how I took it. But football is unpredictable, and thankfully, fate had another script.” He credited Argentina’s unwavering belief for pushing them forward when elimination loomed. “We refused to accept defeat—this group fights until the end.”
Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir denied Messi’s 20th-minute penalty before goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico put them ahead. But Messi’s brilliance shone late—first setting up Cristian Romero, then scoring his tournament-leading eighth goal before Fernández’s last-gasp winner.
The victory marked Messi’s sixth straight World Cup knockout match with a goal, reclaiming the Golden Boot lead. Overcome with emotion at full-time, the 35-year-old acknowledged this could be his final World Cup appearance.
Argentina advances to face Switzerland in the quarterfinals on July 11 in Kansas City.
