Lionel Messi in tears as England’s route to World Cup final changes in 14 crazy minutes

Argentina dodged another huge World Cup upset as the holders came from two goals behind to get past Egypt.

Lionel Messi and co were staring at a last-16 exit as goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico had the Pharaohs two goals up with 11 minutes of normal time remaining.

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But Messi, who had earlier missed a penalty, stepped up to save his country in what is likely to be his last ever World Cup, inspiring a stunning comeback.

The 39-year-old created the first Argentina goal from Tottenham’s Cristian Romero in the 79th minute and lashed home a fantastic volley to equalise four minutes later.

Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround in the third minute of stoppage time with a brilliant header, sparking a furious row on the touchline.

Egypt goalkeeping coach Saafan El-Sagheer was sent off, while manager Hossam Hassan was booked and dragged away from the officials.

The African side had a goal disallowed by VAR earlier in the match and felt that there was a similar foul in the build-up to Fernandes’ winner.

Meanwhile, Messi and several teammates were seen in floods of tears as the full-time whistle blew.

It is the second consecutive 3-2 win for the world champions in the knockout stages after they scraped past Cape Verde in extra time.

What does it mean for England?

The result has huge implications for England, who are in line to meet Argentina in the semi-finals if both teams progress that far.

The Three Lions now know they will face either Argentina, Colombia or Switzerland in the semi-finals if they beat Norway.

Colombia and Switzerland compete in the final last-16 match on Tuesday, bidding to set up a quarter-final clash with the Albicelestes.

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In the final, whoever emerges from England’s bracket will take on France, Morocco, Spain or Belgium.

All-time classic

England fans might have been hoping for an Argentina exit, which would have left no team ranked inside FIFA’s top ten between them and the final.

But the world champions showed exactly how they earned that title with a remarkable display of character.

Reacting inside the Mercedez Benz Stadium in Atlanta, talkSPORT host Natalie Sawyer said: “The celebrations are wild here in Atlanta.

“The team lining up in front of the wall of Argentinian fans to our left-hand side. Many waving their shirts in the air with pure pride and exhilaration.

“And the tears have been flowing out on the pitch. Lionel Messi, Enzo Fernandez, up here, (talkSPORT pundit) Mark McGhee, too. The tears have been flowing.

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“It has been an absolutely marvelous World Cup match. And Egypt, too, played their part.

“And no doubt there are tears from them as well, as they were so close, so close to creating history, that team down there, as they were looking to reach the World Cup quarterfinals for the very first time.

“But just looking at the scenes of Lionel Messi, he is absolutely, well, dumbstruck, I guess, shocked by what his side have done.

“Emi Martinez, likewise. You can see the redness in his eyes.

“They know they’ve achieved something great here in Atlanta.”