Tearful Messi inspires Argentina’s great escape in World Cup thriller with Egypt

Lionel Messi led Argentina to a dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt in the 2026 World Cup, scoring a late equalizer and helping set up the winning goal. The win keeps Argentina's tournament hopes alive after a difficult match that saw Messi miss two penalties.
Why it matters
Messi remains a global cultural icon, and his performance in what is likely his final World Cup tournament draws massive international viewership and sports media attention.
An emotional Lionel Messi is embraced by Lautaro Martínez after the 3-2 victory over Egypt that prolonged his World Cup career. Photograph: Patrick Smith/FIFA/Getty Images An emotional Lionel Messi is embraced by Lautaro Martínez after the 3-2 victory over Egypt that prolonged his World Cup career. Photograph: Patrick Smith/FIFA/Getty Images World Cup 2026 Tearful Messi inspires Argentina’s great escape in World Cup thriller with Egypt
The article provides a straightforward sports report focusing on match events and player performance without political or ideological framing.
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in