Lionel Messi scores his eighth goal, takes lead in Golden Boot race

Lionel Messi let the tears flow at the final whistle, succumbing to emotion after Argentina conjured up an incredible two-goal comeback to beat Egypt 3-2 on Tuesday and advance to the World Cup quarterfinals.

Argentina’s three goals came in the final 11 minutes of regulation and injury time. Messi played a direct hand — or foot — in two of them.

Messi helped get Argentina on the board in the 79th minute, assisting on Cristian Romero’s header. Four minutes later, he levelled the match at 2-2, drilling a shot past Egypt goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir. A sold-out crowd at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, and no one was surprised it was Messi who paved the way to victory.

“Watching Leo run the way he does, just pushing himself further every day — I just told him that he deserved it. He’s our role model, our guide — the one who helps us at all times,” Argentina forward Lautaro Martinez said.