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KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Lionel Messi inspired a stunning Argentina comeback to beat Egypt 3-2, reaching the quarterfinals.
- Controversial VAR calls disallowed an Egypt goal.
- Messi extends scoring streak, edges past Kylian Mbappe in all-time World Cup goals.
'Robbery' or redemption? Lionel Messi's late magic sparks fierce World Cup debate
Football fans, and even cricket personalities, couldn't stop talking after Lionel Messi orchestrated a jaw-dropping turnaround in Atlanta, guiding Argentina past Egypt 3-2 to book their spot in the World Cup quarterfinals.
The defending champions looked down and out for large stretches of the contest, only for their captain to once again prove why he remains the sport's ultimate closer.
Egypt had every reason to believe they were on the verge of a historic upset. Yasser Ibrahim put them ahead inside the opening quarter-hour, and Mostafa Zico doubled the advantage midway through the second half with a sharp finish on the break.
Brett Davis/Imagn Images
Having already etched their names into history by making the knockout rounds for the first time ever, the seven-time African champions appeared destined for an even bigger moment, until Argentina refused to let the game slip away.
With the clock running down, Messi set up Cristian Romero to pull one back in the 79th minute before finding the net himself just four minutes later to level things up.
Then, deep into stoppage time, Enzo Fernández rose highest to head home the winner, completing an extraordinary swing that had never before been seen at this stage of a World Cup, as no side had previously won a knockout match in regulation time after trailing by two goals so late in the contest.
Controversy overshadows the Argentine comeback
Not everything about the win sat comfortably with fans. Egypt believed they had all but sealed the contest when Zico struck again in the second half, only for the goal to be wiped out after a video review flagged an infringement that had occurred well before the ball reached the net.
It was a decision many felt was excessively harsh given how far removed it was from the passage of play.
Social media erupted in response, with former West Indies cricketer Carlos Brathwaite questioning how such a decision could be justified.
He wrote: "How will I explain to the next generation the robbery we’ve witnessed live in this era ?"
How will I explain to the next generation the robbery we’ve witnessed live in this era ?— Carlos Brathwaite (@CRBrathwaite26) July 7, 2026
Journalist Osman Samiuddin pointed out inconsistencies in how fouls were being judged elsewhere in the match.
He wrote: "Given some of the fouls and even pens given, how is this not a pen?"
Given some of the fouls and even pens given how is this not a pen? pic.twitter.com/3pqppOzm0g— Osman Samiuddin (@OsmanSamiuddin) July 7, 2026
However, former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen chose to ignore the noise and hailed Messi's brilliance.
He wrote: "Messi is THE guy."
Messi is THE guy— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) July 7, 2026
Whereas, Mohammad Kaif took a second out for Egypt and wrote: "Celebrate Argentina and Messi, but don't forget to applaud Egypt. They gave it all, almost upset the world champion and gave football an all-time classic. What a game!"
Celebrate Argentina and Messi but don't forget to applaud Egypt. They gave it all, almost upset the world champion and gave football an all-time classic. What a game!— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) July 7, 2026
Whereas, @prasannalara lavished praise on Messi and wrote: "Don’t compare Lionel Messi with anyone. He is the great , greater and greatest."
Don’t compare Lionel Messi with anyone. He is the great , greater and greatest.— Prasanna (@prasannalara) July 7, 2026
What's next for Argentina?
Nights like these are exactly why Messi's legacy feels untouchable, even when a game seems beyond saving, he finds a way to bend it back in his favour.
But the refereeing controversy shouldn't be brushed aside either; when a decision made 50-60 yards from the incident overturns a legitimate goal, it's fair for fans and neutrals alike to question the consistency of officiating.
Argentina, chasing back-to-back titles for the first time since Brazil managed it in 1958 and 1962, will take on the winner of Colombia and Switzerland in Kansas City this Saturday.
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Soham Mukherjee
Soham Mukherjee is a content producer and writer, with a focus on cricket, football, tennis and Indian sports. His work has appeared in Goal.com previously, where he has covered the Premier League, La Liga, Champions League, FIFA World Cups and Indian football. Armed with an MA (Master's) in Sports Journalism from Symbiosis International University, he knew early on that his future wouldn’t be on the pitch but behind the pen, shaping narratives about the games he adores.
Source: Cricketnews.com
