Argentina Stages Dramatic Comeback to Reach Quarterfinals
Every time Lionel Messi steps onto the pitch at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, he leaves an indelible mark, and Argentina's 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the round of 16 on Tuesday was no exception, as he scored and assisted to become the tournament's all-time assists leader.
However, Messi also etched his name into the record books for a less desirable feat on Tuesday, one that he undoubtedly hopes will be surpassed in the future.
After Egypt center back Yasser Ibrahim scored in the 15th minute to give his team a 1-0 lead, Argentina fullback Nicolás Tagliafico drew a penalty, setting the stage for Messi to once again rise to the occasion.
Instead, Messi's penalty attempt was saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Ahmed Shobeir, keeping the match 1-0 in Egypt's favor, and making Messi the first player in World Cup history to miss two penalties in a single edition of the FIFA World Cup.
Messi now has one miss, three saves, and four conversions in his eight career penalty attempts, excluding penalty shootouts, a statistic that will undoubtedly be scrutinized in the days to come.
Fortunately for Messi, Argentina ultimately prevailed, scoring three goals in the final 11 minutes plus stoppage time to complete a stunning 3-2 comeback over Egypt and secure their spot in the quarterfinals, where they will face the winner of Switzerland vs. Colombia on Saturday at Kansas City Stadium.
