Lionel Messi explains tears on the pitch after Argentina's dramatic World Cup win over Egypt

Cristian Romero began the recovery before Messi levelled the contest, with Argentina completing the remarkable turnaround inside 90 minutes to avoid extra time.

The Inter Miami star was visibly emotional at the final whistle, breaking down in tears after another unforgettable night in an Argentina shirt.

But the 39-year-old later explained that his tears were not solely the result of relief.

Messi admitted he could not stop thinking about the first-half penalty he failed to convert, believing it had made life far more difficult for his team.

Speaking after the match, he said: "I was really frustrated with everything that happened in the match today, especially after missing that penalty.

"If I had scored, it would have changed the dynamic of the game. We were actually playing well, despite the goal we conceded."

The missed spot-kick also saw Messi enter the history books for an unwanted reason.

He became the first player to miss two penalties at World Cups.

It was the 150th penalty of his senior career and the 34th he has failed to score, leaving him with a conversion rate of around 77 per cent.

The latest miss also continued an unusual trend on football's biggest stage, with Messi now having failed to convert half of the penalties he has taken at the World Cup.

Earlier in the tournament, he also missed from the spot during Argentina's group-stage victory over Austria, although he recovered to score twice in that match.

Against Egypt, goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir guessed correctly, diving to his left to push Messi's penalty away.

For much of the evening, that save looked as though it might prove decisive.

Argentina remained two goals behind entering the closing stages before mounting a breathtaking comeback to snatch victory and extend their World Cup campaign.

Reflecting on the dramatic turnaround, Messi praised the determination shown by his team-mates.

"This group deserved to keep going, deserved to keep fighting and trying," he said.

"We managed to get that goal from Cuti [Romero], and I think that's when everyone felt it deep down, we believed it was possible, that we could pull it off.

"We were lucky enough to equalise and win it within the 90 minutes, we didn't even have to go to extra time.

"Things looked grim at 2-0, but we managed to turn the match around.

"Overcoming a two-goal deficit like that, honestly, it's not easy, especially in a World Cup, given how the tournament is playing out and the fact that no one gives you anything for free."

Despite his penalty frustration, Messi's goal took his tally for the tournament to eight and extended his remarkable World Cup scoring record to 21 goals.

Argentina face Switzerland on Sunday morning (2am).