Emotional captain Lionel Messi said he suffered during Argentinas late comeback win over Egypt to reach the quarter-finals of the World Cup 2026 and head coach Lionel Scaloni could barely speak in a 12-second post-match interview. Messi, who lashed in the 83rd-minute equaliser after his country had been behind with 12 minutes of regular time remaining, was in tears as he was thrown in the air by his teammates after the full-time whistle.I feel happiness for the qualification, said the tournament top scorer. It had gotten very tough. We suffered a lot again, but this is the World Cup.All the matches are turning out like this. It was a relief for everyone, given how the match played out. But this group never gives up and fights until the end.Its crazy what this group did today.Table of ContentsWorld Cup 2026: Messi and Argentina overwhelmed by winArgentina vs Egypt: Messi deserves itLionel Messi: Argentina captain a great legendEnzo Fernandez: Argentina phenomenal vs EgyptMessi World Cup fixtures: Confirmed schedule, kick off timesWorld Cup 2026: Messi and Argentina overwhelmed by winScaloni, who guided his country to the title in 2022 in between winning the Copa America in 2021 and 2024, joined the likes of Messi and striker Julian Alvarez in crying on the pitch, having avoided a shock defeat to reach a quarter-final against Switzerland or Colombia on Sunday (02:00 BST).The 48-year-old was overwhelmed after his team prevailed courtesy of Enzo Fernandezs 93rd-minute header against the most successful team in Africa.I cant look up, said Scaloni, whose team beat Cape Verde after extra time in the last 32. Im sorry. Im so emotional what a group of players, brother.The former Albiceleste international then told the cameras to leave it after announcing: Thats it I have to go. Argentina vs Egypt: Messi deserves itMessi could have equalised during the first half but had a penalty saved by Mostafa Shoubir, ensuring the eight-time Ballon dOr winner has missed four of the eight spot kicks he has taken at World Cup tournaments.The tournament top scorer set up Cristian Romero to score before lashing in Argentinas equaliser for his eighth goal of this edition.When I saw Leo crying on the field, I told him that I cried because he deserves it, said Lautaro Martinez, whose cross allowed Chelseas Fernandez to settle the last-16 tie.It was very difficult; what weve done tonight, I hadnt seen in a long time. The opponents subdued us and competed with us a lot physically.Its a group full of humility and sacrifice. Its a match thats going to be one for the memory books.Lionel Messi: Argentina captain a great legendYasser Ibrahims 15th-minute header gave the underdogs a lead they doubled when Mostafa Ziko struck in the 67th minute.Leo keeps proving what a great legend he is and were happy to be able to join him, said Alvarez. Im not one to get emotional, but today I really felt it.[There is] joy and so much excitement. Living those last minutes on the bench was tremendous. I want to thank the people from the bottom of my heart for the support and encouragement.Enzo Fernandez: Argentina phenomenal vs EgyptBlues captain Fernandez had a tempestuously forgettable season at Stamford Bridge but praised a phenomenal group of Argentina players who never give up.Ive been dreaming of that goal for three years, added the midfielder. We had to take advantage of those spaces that were given to us, and we did.I want to thank my teammates, the coaching staff, those who came to cheer us on and all the Argentinians who are in our country supporting us.We came to enjoy another World Cup and to represent our country. Thats what were doing.Messi World Cup fixtures: Confirmed schedule, kick off timesHere are Argentinas fixtures, results and potential schedule, as well as how to watch in the UK.Asterisk denotes a fixture starts on the previous day in the stated territory.DateMatchResultStageTime (BST)ETPTChannelJune 17Algeria3-0Group02:0021:00*18:00*ITVJune 22Austria2-0Group18:0013:0010:00BBCJune 28Jordan3-1Group03:0022:00*19:00*BBCJuly 3Cape Verde3-2 (AET)Round of 3223:0018:0015:00ITVJuly 7Egypt3-2Round of 1617:0012:0009:00TBCJuly 12TBCQuarter-finals02:0021:00*18:00*TBCJuly 15TBCSemi-finals20:0015:0012:00TBCJuly 18TBCThird-placed match22:0017:0014:00TBCJuly 19TBCFinal20:0015:0012:00BBC, ITV Topics 2026 FIFA World Cup Alexis Mac Allister Argentina National Football Team Cristian Romero Egypt national football team Emiliano Martinez Enzo Fernandez FIFA World Cup Julian Alvarez Lionel Messi Mohamed Salah Rodrigo de Paul World Cup World Cup 2026 Add us as a preferred source on Google If you enjoy reading this article, you can help support our independent football journalism by adding 101 Great Goals as a preferred source You Should Also Read Lionel Messi: World Cup 2026 playing schedule, fixtures, kick off times, where to watch, confirmed news updates and full Argentina squad Ben Miller 7th July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Full fixtures, dates, games, schedule and results from FIFA football finals Ben Miller 7th July, 2026 Argentina v Egypt: World Cup 2026 live text commentary, updates, goals and stats as it happened Jon Fisher 7th July, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Switzerland vs Colombia confirmed teams and full line ups, TV channel, online stream and stats Ben Miller 7th July, 2026 World Cup 2026: Argentina 3-2 Egypt Report, result, goals as Enzo Fernandez goal sends Lionel Messi side through with epic comeback in absolutely amazing last-16 thriller Ben Miller 7th July, 2026 World Cup 2026 live: Lionel Messi suffers incredible penalty miss for Argentina vs Egypt after Ibrahim goal opens scoring Ben Miller 7th July, 2026
