By Trevor Stynes
ATLANTA, July 7 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi broke down in tears at the final whistle, consoled by his Argentina teammates as the captain appeared to realise just how close his World Cup dream came to ending on Tuesday in a game in which he missed a penalty before coming up with a vital late equaliser.
Argentina were two goals down to Egypt with just over 10 minutes to play in the last-16 tie, before staging a fight back which will live long in the memory of those inside Atlanta Stadium
who witnessed Messi show his human side during and after the game.
The finale was a far cry from how the afternoon began, with Messi looking extremely relaxed despite the high stakes, giving a wry smile to the cameras as he waited to emerge from the tunnel and winking at the mascots.
His first touch was a misplaced pass, however, and when Egypt took the lead Argentina trailed for the first time at this World Cup.
The champions were handed the perfect opportunity to level six minutes after conceding the first goal, but Messi put his spot-kick too close to the keeper, becoming the first player to miss two penalties at a single World Cup, excluding shootouts.
Messi sent a penalty wide in the group game with Austria, missing the chance to break Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record, but went on to net twice in that 2-0 win having bagged a hat-trick in the opener against Algeria.
The 39-year-old has since surged past the previous mark of 16, and against Egypt he scored for the ninth consecutive World Cup game, his 21st goal drawing Argentina level at 2-2.
MERE MORTAL MESSI
Messi's first-half performance was well below his imperious standards. He did strike a free kick against the post, but found it difficult to weave his way through the disciplined Egyptian defence.
At one stage, Argentina did well to win back possession and looked set to launch a quick counter, only to see Messi surprised by Karim Hafez who nipped in to take the ball as he waited to collect a pass.
Messi also ballooned a shot high and wide, and the largely blue and white-clad crowd waited expectantly for a second-half display to banish the memories of his underwhelming opening 45 minutes.
Once again, however, Egypt tore up the script.
Mostafa Zico had a goal disallowed, but Argentina failed to heed the warning and the Egyptian winger soon doubled his side's lead.
Cristian Romero's goal gave Argentina hope, and Messi's gave them belief. A scramble in the box ended with Julian Alvarez's cushioned pass back and Messi drilled in a sweet half-volley which the keeper got a hand to, but could not keep out.
Messi wheeled away in delight and celebrated as never before at this tournament, leaping into the air and pumping his fists with the momentum now firmly with Argentina.
"Leo (Messi) keeps showing what a great legend he is, and we’re happy to be able to be with him," Argentina striker Julian Alvarez told reporters. "I’m not usually someone who gets emotional, but today I felt it deeply."
Argentina were given a battle royal by Cape Verde in the previous round, needing an own goal to win in extra time after twice being pegged back.
Egypt gave them an even tougher fight, however, and a major fright which may serve Messi and his teammates well as they continue their title defence in a quarter-final against Switzerland or Colombia on Saturday.
(Reporting by Trevor Stynes, editing by Ed Osmond)
