ATLANTA, July 7 (Reuters) - Lionel Messi broke down ⁠in tears at the final whistle, consoled by his Argentina teammates as the captain appeared to realise just how close his World ⁠Cup dream came to ending on Tuesday in a game in which he missed a penalty before coming up with ‌a vital late equaliser.

Argentina were two goals down to Egypt with just over 10 minutes to play in the last-16 tie, before staging a fight back which will live long in the memory of those inside Atlanta Stadium who witnessed Messi show his human side during and after the game.

The finale was a far cry from how the afternoon began, with Messi ​looking extremely relaxed despite the high stakes, giving a wry smile to the cameras as ⁠he waited to emerge from the tunnel and winking ⁠at the mascots.

His first touch was a misplaced pass, however, andwhen Egypt took the lead Argentina trailed for the first time at this World Cup.

The ⁠champions ‌were handed the perfect opportunity to level six minutes after conceding the first goal, but Messi put his spot-kick too close to the keeper, becoming the first player to miss two penalties at a single World Cup, excluding shootouts.

Messi sent a penalty wide in the group game ⁠with Austria, missing the chance to break Miroslav Klose's all-time World Cup scoring record, ​but went on to net twice in that ‌2-0 win having bagged a hat-trick in the opener against Algeria.

The 39-year-old has since surged past the previous mark of 16, ⁠and against Egypt he scored ​for the ninth consecutive World Cup game, his 21st goal drawing Argentina level at 2-2.

MERE MORTAL MESSI

Messi's first-half performance was well below his imperious standards. He did strike a free kick against the post, but found it difficult to weave his way through the disciplined Egyptian defence.

At one stage, Argentina did well to win back possession and ⁠looked set to launch a quick counter, only to see Messi surprised by ​Karim Hafez who nipped in to take the ball as he waited to collect a pass.

Messi also ballooned a shot high and wide, and the largely blue and white-clad crowd waited expectantly for a second-half display to banish the memories of his underwhelming opening 45 minutes.

Once again, however, Egypt tore up the script.

Mostafa ⁠Zico had a goal disallowed, but Argentina failed to heed the warning and the Egyptian winger soon doubled his side's lead.

Cristian Romero's goal gave Argentina hope, and Messi's gave them belief. A scramble in the box ended with Julian Alvarez's cushioned pass back and Messi drilled in a sweet half-volley which the keeper got a hand to, but could not keep out.

Messi wheeled away in delight and celebrated as never before at this tournament, leaping into ​the air and pumping his fists with the momentum now firmly with Argentina.

"Leo (Messi) keeps showing what a great ⁠legend he is, and we’re happy to be able to be with him," Argentina striker Julian Alvarez told reporters. "I’m not usually someone who gets emotional, but ​today I felt it deeply."

Argentina were given a battle royal by Cape Verde in the ‌previous round, needing an own goal to win in extra time after twice ​being pegged back.

Egypt gave them an even tougher fight, however, and a major fright which may serve Messi and his teammates well as they continue their title defence in a quarter-final against Switzerland or Colombia on Saturday.

(Reporting by Trevor Stynes, editing by Ed Osmond)