Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi has tears in his eyes as celebrates winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Argentina and Egypt at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta on July 7, 2026. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN / AFP)
Lionel Messi has revealed that his emotional reaction after Argentina’s dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt at the FIFA World Cup was driven by guilt over a missed penalty rather than the joy of reaching the quarter-finals.
Argentina recovered from a two-goal deficit in Tuesday’s Round of 16 clash in Atlanta, with Messi bouncing back from an early penalty miss to inspire the turnaround. The Argentine captain provided the assist for Cristian Romero’s goal, scored the equaliser, before Enzo Fernández netted a dramatic stoppage-time winner.
Speaking after the match, Messi admitted the missed spot-kick haunted him throughout the game.
“I cried because I felt that I let my teammates down because of the penalty I missed… and the way I took it. But thankfully, once again, God had something special for me in the end. I’m very happy.”
The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner praised his teammates’ resilience, insisting their determination made the comeback possible.
“This group really deserved to keep going. We never give up, at all. Never.”
Messi’s penalty was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in the 20th minute, shortly after Yasser Ibrahim had given Egypt the lead. Egypt doubled their advantage through Mostafa Zico before Argentina mounted a remarkable fightback.
The equaliser was Messi’s eighth goal of the tournament, lifting him back to the top of the Golden Boot race ahead of Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland. It also extended his record of scoring in six consecutive World Cup knockout matches.
Overcome with emotion at the final whistle, Messi celebrated what could be his final World Cup campaign. Argentina will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals on July 11 in Kansas City.
