Argentina’s Rally
Argentina, who had already needed extra time to beat Cape Verde 3-2 in the Round of 32, once again found themselves on the brink of elimination. But Messi, despite his penalty miss, proved decisive in the comeback, scoring his eighth goal of the tournament to take the lead in the Golden Boot race. Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround with the goal that sealed the 3-2 victory. timesofindia.indiatimes.com reuters.com seattlepi.com tiktok.com
Messi’s Mixed Record from the Spot
The penalty miss added an unwanted chapter to Messi’s World Cup history. His save by Shobeir was his second failed spot-kick of the 2026 tournament, dropping his conversion rate in the competition. Yet Messi’s ability to recover from adversity and deliver from open play underscored why, at 39, he remains Argentina’s most important player. sports.yahoo.com reddit.com
What Comes Next
Argentina will face the winner of the Switzerland-Colombia match in the quarterfinals in Kansas City on Saturday, July 11. For Egypt, who were appearing in the World Cup knockout rounds for the first time after beating Australia on penalties in the Round of 32, the exit will sting but their run has already surpassed all expectations. Argentina, meanwhile, continue their pursuit of a record third consecutive World Cup title — though their path has been anything but comfortable. bbc.com reuters.com aljazeera.com
