Lionel Messi assessed Argentina’s qualification for the quarter-finals of the World Cup as an extraordinary achievement, highlighting the team’s ability to react. The team, which was losing 2-0 to Egypt, turned the score around to 3-2 with three goals in just 13 minutes, keeping its hope of defending the title won in 2022 alive.
The number 10 of the Argentine national team highlighted, at the end of the match, that the final result reflected the squad’s determination to overcome the adversities imposed during the match.
The lightning turnaround: Argentina reacts with three goals and guarantees a place in the quarter-finals
“I feel great joy that we managed to qualify, especially the way it happened,” said Messi. He added that the game became extremely challenging after the score of 2-0 and that the comeback victory was very exciting. “We suffered a lot again, but this is the World Cup. All the matches have been like that, very balanced. I’m very happy.”
The Argentine captain also emphasized that his team’s first goal was the turning point, bringing relief and renewing the confidence of all the players.
“It was a general relief with the way the duel unfolded, as it is not simple to reverse a 2-0 scoreline,” said the star. “But, as I always say, this group never gives up and fights until the last moment. We were lucky to score with Romero quickly, there was still time, and we managed to turn things around. In the 90 minutes, what this group did today in this knockout match was truly crazy.”
Argentina’s main player made a point of dedicating the important victory to the fans who follow the team.
“I’m extremely happy that the fans can stay with us, enjoy this classification and what we’re achieving. I hope we continue to move forward”, he expressed.
The team led by Lionel Scaloni was very close to elimination during much of the second stage. Defender Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring in the 15th minute, and striker Mostafa Zico made it 2-0 in the 67th minute, putting the Egyptians close to an unprecedented place in the quarterfinals.
Argentina had even wasted a penalty kick with Messi in the first half and saw goalkeeper Mostafa Shobeir make a series of saves that prevented more goals.
Argentina’s spectacular reaction began in the 79th minute, when Cristian Romero scored after a precise cross from Messi. Just four minutes later, the number 10 himself scored the equalizer. In stoppage time, Enzo Fernández took advantage of a pass from Lautaro Martínez to seal the victory, completing one of the biggest comebacks in the recent history of the Argentine team in World Cups.
In the quarterfinals, Argentina will face the winner of the clash between Switzerland and Colombia. The decisive match is scheduled for 5pm.
