Video | Lionel Messi's tears after leading Argentina to World Cup 2026 quarterfinals

Lionel Messi experienced a rollercoaster of emotions, from the frustration of a missed penalty to tears of joy, as he captained Argentina to a dramatic 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the 2026 World Cup's Round of 16.

The match was a tense affair for the reigning world champions, who found themselves trailing and on the brink of elimination for much of the game. Lionel Messi himself missed a penalty in the first half, adding to the pressure. However, Argentina's resilience shone through in the final minutes.

Cristian "Cuti" Romero ignited the comeback in the 79th minute, bringing Argentina back into contention. Just five minutes later, at the 84th minute, Lionel Messi scored a crucial equalizer, fueling the hopes of millions of Argentine fans. The decisive blow came in stoppage time when Enzo Fernández connected with a header in the 93rd minute, sealing the 3-2 victory and unleashing euphoria.

This remarkable turnaround in just 13 minutes saw Argentina transform from potential elimination to securing a place among the tournament's top eight teams.

Following the final whistle, Messi's emotional reaction captivated viewers worldwide. Overcome with happiness and relief after a night of intense pressure and struggle, the Argentine captain was seen in tears. Messi, who has now scored eight goals in this World Cup and 21 in his World Cup career, embraced his teammates, his eyes visibly moist. His crucial goal in the comeback, after missing the earlier penalty, symbolized a moment of redemption and profound emotion, celebrated with tears of joy as Argentina advanced to the quarterfinals.

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LIONEL MESSI IN TEARS AT FULL TIME. Despite winning it all he still has this crazy passion for the game ❤️🥹