How Messi defied time and his own struggles to conjure epic comeback

Lionel Messi's career has been intertwined with that of Cristiano Ronaldo for what must seem like forever for the pair. For much of the game against Egypt, Argentina's captain had looked set to follow his old rival out of this World Cup. A sad end loomed.

Instead, when the final whistle came, his tears were very different from those of Ronaldo the night before. Overcome with emotion, there was joy in there. But relief too. This was a game that had looked unlikely to bend to his will. Messi certainly struggled.