Key points:

• Historic Miss: Lionel Messi set an unwanted Messi World Cup penalty record by becoming the first player to miss four penalties in tournament history. 

• Shock Deficit: Egypt built a stunning 2-0 lead through goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Ziko, leaving the champions on the brink of elimination. 

• Miracle Comeback: Argentina turned the game around in the final 11 minutes with goals from Cristian Romero, Messi, and Enzo Fernández. 

• Quarter-Final Bound: Consequently, the reigning world champions survived the Round of 16 scare and will now face Switzerland in the quarter-finals. 

LAHORE – The legendary career of Lionel Messi hit a historic hurdle on Tuesday night before culminating in pure magic. During a tense 2026 World Cup Round of 16 clash against Egypt in Atlanta, the 39-year-old icon inadvertently established a new, unwanted Messi World Cup penalty record. 

The eight-time Ballon d’Or winner saw his first-half spot-kick brilliantly saved by Egyptian goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. Because this marked his second penalty failure of the 2026 tournament following a miss against Austria, he became the first player to fail to convert multiple penalties in a single World Cup edition. Furthermore, adding to previous misses against Iceland in 2018 and Poland in 2022, his four career World Cup penalty failures stand alone in football history. 

Egypt Stuns the World Champions 

The penalty miss looked costly as a disciplined Egyptian squad capitalised on defensive openings. First, Yasser Ibrahim silenced the stadium by heading home an opening goal in the 15th minute. Later, a devastating counter-attack allowed Mostafa Ziko to double the lead in the 67th minute. 

With less than twelve minutes remaining, the reigning champions faced a shock departure from the global stage. Nevertheless, the setback only set the scene for one of the greatest comebacks in recent World Cup history. 

“After the penalty, he could have given up, but instead, he asked for the ball again and went for more. It gives me goosebumps,” Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni remarked post-match. 

Eleven Minutes of Interstellar Football 

The resurgence began when Messi delivered an exceptional assist for Cristian Romero to pull one goal back. Shortly after, the captain erased the sting of his earlier miss by drilling home the equalizer. This strike marked his eighth consecutive game scoring at a World Cup. 

Finally, in the dying moments of stoppage time, Enzo Fernández scored a brilliant looping header to secure a breathtaking 3-2 victory. While their defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, Argentina proved that their elite resilience remains fully intact. 

Match Performance Metrics 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

What is Lionel Messi’s new World Cup penalty record? 

Lionel Messi has now missed four penalties across his World Cup career, which is more than any other player in the history of the tournament. 

How did Argentina recover after Messi’s miss? 

Despite falling behind 2-0, Argentina scored three goals within the final 11 minutes of the match to secure a 3-2 victory and advance. 

Who will Argentina play next in the tournament? 

Following their dramatic win against Egypt, Argentina will face Switzerland in the quarter-finals.

Read more: Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup career ends after Spain defeat.

ISLAMABAD – The historic Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup career came to a heartbreaking end following Portugal’s dramatic 1-0 defeat to Spain in the Round of 16. Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino scored a stunning injury-time winner. The late goal sent the reigning European champions straight into the quarter-finals.

The 41-year-old forward had previously confirmed that the 2026 tournament would be his final global showcase. He was visibly emotional on the pitch after the final whistle blew.

Ronaldo finishes his tournament journey with appearances in six separate editions. This achievement stands as an absolute record in football history. Furthermore, he remains the only player ever to score in six different World Cup tournaments. His highest finish occurred back in 2006 when Portugal placed fourth.

The Numbers Behind the Cristiano Ronaldo World Cup Career

Despite the tough exit, Ronaldo leaves behind an unparalleled legacy in global sports. Over his historic career, the legendary forward scored a record-breaking 976 goals for both club and country.

When questioned about his future with the national team, Ronaldo remained uncertain. He told reporters he intends to speak with his family first before making any final decisions.

Tactician Backlash and Post-Match Drama

Portugal’s strategy throughout the tournament faced intense media scrutiny. Many sports analysts openly questioned if relying heavily on a veteran striker limited the team’s attacking fluidness.

Former England striker Chris Sutton pointed blame directly at the management team. He heavily criticized the tactical setup used during the match.

“Cristiano Ronaldo does nothing; he did nothing,” Sutton stated. “What is Roberto Martinez doing? How can you pander to a player so much? Portugal are out because of Roberto Martinez.”

Following the intense match, head coach Roberto Martinez announced his official departure from the national team. However, he quickly defended his captain’s effort and dedication. Martinez emphasized that Ronaldo’s work ethic serves as a prime example for the next generation of athletes.

LAHORE – Former Pakistan cricketer Imad Wasim and his former wife, digital content creator Sania Ashfaq, have exchanged allegations in public statements following fresh claims made by Ashfaq regarding their marriage and ongoing custody dispute.

In a post shared on Instagram, Ashfaq alleged that she was subjected to abusive and controlling behaviour during their marriage, which she said caused her severe mental stress. She also claimed that Wasim had shown little interest in meeting or speaking with their children and was unwilling to bear their expenses, while she continued to pursue custody.

Ashfaq further alleged that Wasim deceived her during pregnancy and that his behaviour made her life “extremely difficult”. She also claimed that he was arrested in the United Kingdom in July 2025 over allegations related to domestic violence and alleged that pressure was exerted on her by his family to withdraw her statement, prompting the involvement of social services.

According to Ashfaq, social workers recently asked Wasim whether he wished to speak with his children, but he did not respond. She alleged that while he was not interested in meeting or speaking to them, he continued to complicate custody proceedings. She said she would continue to protect her children and hoped the truth would eventually come to light.

Responding in an Instagram story, Wasim described his statement as his “final” response to the matter. He said he had divorced Ashfaq for personal reasons and that the chapter of his life was closed.

Wasim also urged his former wife not to involve his current wife, Naila Raja, in the dispute, saying she had no connection to the matter and entered his life after the divorce.

He further called on Ashfaq to accept the situation and stop what he described as repeated public drama, adding that he would not comment on the matter again.

The allegations and counter-allegations made by both parties have not been independently verified.