In Atlanta, the world champion found himself facing an Egypt that did not seem willing to play the role of extras. Hossam Hassan's "Pharaohs" presented themselves with courage, discipline and faith, proving that their path to the "16" phase was not just a coincidence. With the right tactics, intensity and determination, they managed to surprise Argentina, taking a two-goal lead (Ibrahim 15, Ziko 67’) and bringing the world champions to the brink of elimination.

A great protagonist for the Africans was goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir). His saves kept his team standing on successive opportunities from the Argentines, while the highlight was his intervention on Messi’s penalty. For the second time in the tournament, the Argentine missed from the penalty spot, which seemed to signal the end of an era and perhaps the end of the dream of a second consecutive World Cup.

Messi gets up again

However, the truly great are not judged by the moments when they fall, but by those in which they get up. And Messi rose again.

When time was running out against Argentina, their captain decided that the story was not yet over. Initially, he created the goal of hope for central defender Cristian Romero (79'), giving his team life again. A few minutes later, he took responsibility himself, equalizing (83') with the quality and composure that have accompanied him throughout his career. And when everything seemed to indicate that extra time was inevitable, the Albiceleste completed the complete turnaround, with Enzo Fernandez giving victory in injury time (90+2') after an excellent creation by Lautaro Martinez.

Egypt left with bitterness and strong complaints about the refereeing. The disallowed second goal, as well as some decisions in the final minutes, angered Hossam Hassan, who did not hide his disappointment, leaving sharp criticisms about the refereeing and the development of the match. Regardless of the protests, the “Pharaohs” won the respect of the football world. With passion, personality and competitive maturity, they came within a breath of one of the biggest surprises in the history of the institution.

The qualification, however, brought back the signature of the man who has been changing the balance of world football for two decades. Lionel Messi proved once again that as long as he is on the field, no result can be considered final. Because there are football laws that are broken. But there is one that still remains inviolable: you never write off Lionel Messi.