Messi sets unwanted World Cup record before rescuing Argentina in 3-2 comeback against Egypt

Lionel Messi etched his name into World Cup history for the wrong reasons on Tuesday before helping Argentina complete a dramatic 3-2 comeback against Egypt in the round of 16, securing a quarterfinal berth at Kansas City Stadium.

With Argentina trailing 1-0 to a 15th-minute header from Egypt centre-back Yasser Ibrahim, Messi stepped up to take a penalty — drawn by fullback Nicolás Tagliafico — and had his effort saved by goalkeeper Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir. The miss made Messi the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties in a single edition of the tournament.

Across his entire World Cup career, Messi now has four conversions, three saves, and one miss from eight penalty attempts, excluding shootouts — a record that will sit uncomfortably alongside his many achievements at the tournament.

Yet the 37-year-old refused to let the moment define the evening. Messi scored and registered an assist as Argentina mounted a stunning recovery, netting three goals in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time to overturn the deficit and seal the win. The performance also made him the all-time assists leader in World Cup history.

Egypt had been on the verge of one of the tournament’s great upsets, holding their lead deep into the second half against the defending champions. Instead, Argentina’s late surge extinguished any hope of a shock and sent them into the last eight.

Messi and Argentina will face the winner of Switzerland versus Colombia in the quarterfinals on Saturday.