Lionel Messi once again delivered when Argentina needed him most, producing another unforgettable World Cup performance that added another chapter to his remarkable career. The Argentina captain could not hold back his tears after the final whistle as the defending champions completed an incredible 3 2 comeback victory over Egypt in the round of 16 to keep their title defence alive.
Lionel Messi was in tears after Argentina's massive comeback. (IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters)
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It had been a night of frustration for Messi. Nothing seemed to go his way in the first half, and his saved penalty marked his second miss from the spot in this tournament. With Egypt leading 2 0 well into the second half, Argentina appeared to be heading for a shock exit.
But the momentum changed in the closing stages. Argentina struck three times in 12 minutes to produce one of the greatest fightbacks in World Cup history, and Messi was at the heart of it. His pinpoint cross was headed home by Cristian Romero to spark the comeback before the captain found the equaliser himself, refusing to let his side's campaign end.
The emotional evening also brought another milestone. Messi's assist for Romero was the ninth of his World Cup career, taking him past Diego Maradona for the most assists in the tournament's history. It was another record for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, whose influence once again proved decisive as Argentina survived a huge scare and marched into the quarterfinals.
Lionel Messi leads golden boot race
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The emotional evening also brought another milestone. Messi's assist for Romero was the ninth of his World Cup career, taking him past Diego Maradona for the most assists in the tournament's history. It was another record for the eight-time Ballon d'Or winner, whose influence once again proved decisive as Argentina survived a huge scare and marched into the quarterfinals.
Lionel Messi leads golden boot race
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Messi had the chance to move ahead in the Golden Boot race during the first half, but his penalty was saved, adding to Argentina's growing frustration. Instead of letting the miss define his night, the captain responded when it mattered most. With his side chasing the game, he fired home the equaliser to complete a remarkable comeback and breathe life back into Argentina's title defence. The strike was his ninth consecutive goal in World Cup matches and his eighth of this tournament, taking him clear of Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland in the race for the Golden Boot. It was another reminder of Messi's ability to deliver under pressure when Argentina needed him most.
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With extra time looming, Enzo Fernandez nodded in a sensational winner in the second minute of time added on to finally break Egypt's resistance.
"Being able to experience moments like this, honestly, I thank God, I'm privileged," Fernandez said afterwards.
"I want to highlight my team-mates - we have a phenomenal group, a group that never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity. We're always together," the Chelsea midfielder added.
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.
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Home/Sports/Football/Lionel Messi fails to hold back tears after breaking Diego Maradona's World Cup record as Argentina enter quarter-final
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