Argentina captain Lionel Messi has explained that he broke down in tears after his side’s dramatic 3-2 victory over Egypt at the 2026 FIFA World Cup because he felt responsible for missing an early penalty.

The world champions overturned a two-goal deficit in Tuesday’s Round of 16 clash in Atlanta to book a place in the quarter-finals. Messi recovered from his missed spot-kick by providing an assist for Cristian Romero, scoring the equaliser and inspiring Argentina’s remarkable comeback before Enzo Fernández netted the winning goal in stoppage time.

Speaking after the match, the 39-year-old admitted the missed penalty left him feeling he had let his teammates down.

“I cried because I felt that I let my teammates down because of the penalty I missed and the way I took it. But thankfully, God had something special for me in the end. I’m very happy,” Messi said.

He praised the team’s determination, insisting Argentina never lost belief despite trailing by two goals.

“We didn’t want and didn’t deserve to go home. We could not let it end like that. This group deserved to keep going. We never give up never,” he added.

Messi’s penalty was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir in the 20th minute, shortly after Yasser Ibrahim had given the Pharaohs the lead. Egypt doubled their advantage through Mostafa Zico before Argentina staged a stunning fightback.

The veteran forward first set up Romero to reduce the deficit before scoring the equaliser in the 83rd minute. Fernández then completed the comeback with a dramatic late winner.

Messi’s goal was his eighth of the tournament, moving him back to the top of the Golden Boot race ahead of France’s Kylian Mbappé and Norway’s Erling Haaland. It also extended his record of scoring in six consecutive World Cup knockout matches.

Widely expected to be featuring in his final World Cup, Messi was visibly emotional after the final whistle as Argentina secured a quarter-final showdown with Switzerland on July 11 in Kansas City.