Lionel Messi had the chance to draw Argentina level before half-time when he stepped up to take a penalty. But his left-footed effort was brilliantly saved by Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir, and silence descended over the Atlanta Stadium. For Messi, though, the bigger battle was internal. It was the second penalty he had missed for Argentina at this World Cup, and for a brief moment, it felt as though he had let his country down. Argentina’s forward #10 Lionel Messi celebrates after winning the 2026 World Cup round of 16 football match between Argentina and Egypt (AFP) But Messi refused to let that miss define his night. When Argentina needed him the most, trailing 2-0 and staring at a shock Round-of-16 exit, their captain found another gear. He ignited an extraordinary comeback by scoring the equaliser just before the end of regulation time, before Enzo Fernandez struck deep into stoppage time to send the defending champions into the quarterfinals. ALSO READ: One rule for Messi’s Argentina, another for the rest? The refereeing pattern behind Egypt’s …