Lionel Messi displayed a mix of emotion and frustration in Atlanta as Argentina pulled off a thrilling 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt to book their spot in the World Cup quarter-finals. Despite leading his team to another crucial win, the Argentine captain confessed he felt “very distressed” about his personal performance on the night, particularly after missing a crucial penalty.

Messi’s emotions were evident at the final whistle, as he was seen shedding tears after a rollercoaster contest that nearly ended in heartbreak. Argentina trailed 2-0 midway through the match before goals from Cristian Romero and Messi restored parity. Enzo Fernandez then completed the turnaround in stoppage time, sealing a famous victory for the defending champions. However, Messi admitted he was far from content with his individual display.

Speaking after the match, a visibly emotional Messi said, “I was really angry about the penalty, very distressed about missing again. If I had scored the penalty at that moment, it would have changed the game. We were playing well. Aside from the penalty, we had clear chances. The goalkeeper made some incredible saves. Luckily, in the end, I got the chance. It’s something very special to be able to help this group after what had happened.”

Messi’s miss from the penalty spot against Egypt’s Mostafa Shobeir gave him an unwanted place in World Cup history. Having already failed to convert a spot-kick against Austria in the group stage, he became the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties in a single tournament, excluding penalty shootouts. Despite that, the Argentine skipper later scored from open play to level the match.

Reflecting on the emotional night, Messi added, “Honestly, I’m happy to have qualified, because of how we did it. It got tough at 2-0. It was very exciting to be able to turn it around. We suffered a lot again, but this is the World Cup. All the matches are the same. Everything is very close. I’m very happy.”

Despite the penalty miss, Messi’s overall performance was once again of legendary calibre. He orchestrated play in the final third with his trademark creativity and determination, helping Argentina claw back control of the match. In doing so, he became the first player since Diego Maradona’s iconic display against Belgium in 1986 to score, complete five or more dribbles, and create five or more open play chances in a single World Cup match.

Now aged 39, Messi has taken his goal tally to eight in the 2026 World Cup, further reinforcing his status as the heartbeat of Lionel Scaloni’s team. “It’s yet another example of pride, character, and desire. I’m very proud,” Messi said. “It was a relief for everyone, given how the game unfolded. It’s not easy to come back from 2-0 down... But as I always say, this group never gives up and keeps fighting until the last minute. We were lucky to get Cuti’s goal early, we still had time left, and we turned it around in the 90 minutes. What this group did today was incredible. I hope we keep going.”

The dramatic win in Atlanta keeps Argentina’s dream of back-to-back World Cup titles alive. Their resilience under coach Lionel Scaloni has been a defining feature of their campaign, and they will need every bit of that mental strength as they progress deeper into the knockout rounds.

Next up for the Albiceleste is a quarter-final clash in Kansas on Saturday, where they will face Switzerland. With Messi continuing to operate at a level reminiscent of the greatest performances in Argentina’s history, the world champions will be confident of maintaining their push towards the final in North America—if they can manage the immense pressure that comes with the world’s biggest stage.