The drama unfolded on Tuesday in Atlanta during the 79th minute of play. Argentina found themselves trailing 2-0 to Egypt, and it appeared Lionel Messi’s World Cup narrative was nearing an abrupt end. However, a moment of magic saw La Pulga deliver a pinpoint cross for Cristian Romero’s header in the 79th minute. Messi then dramatically found the back of Shobeir’s net himself in the 83rd, before witnessing Enzo Fernandez seal a miraculous victory with a header in the 90th+3 minute. Messi’s emotional reaction, tears streaming down his face, underscored the sheer intensity of their fifteen-minute turnaround.

Football pundits have lauded this extraordinary display of character. Commentator Jérôme Rothen highlighted the rarity of such a comeback, especially considering Messi’s missed penalty, numerous squandered opportunities, and the Egyptian goalkeeper’s exceptional saves. This epic scenario followed closely on the heels of another hard-fought qualification just three days prior against Cape Verde. Having been pegged back twice, the Argentinians endured extra time – with several players battling cramps – to overcome the 64th-ranked nation with a 3-2 victory.

Despite facing considerable challenges in their play, the Albiceleste remains undefeated in 2026, consistently turning matches in their favor through sheer mental strength. Jérôme Rothen noted, “There’s immense personality and temperament in this squad; it’s their greatest asset.” Franck Leboeuf, a 1998 World Cup winner, echoed this sentiment, adding, “I was genuinely surprised by Argentina’s solidarity. This collective spirit can make a difference against any opponent.”

Suffering as a cornerstone of Argentinian football culture

The concept of “garra” – tenacity and grit – has been celebrated by fans and the Argentinian press, becoming intrinsic to the national team’s identity. Themes of sacrifice and enduring hardship are frequently invoked in their collective narratives. Following their recent qualification, the sports daily Olé encapsulated these fundamental values: “Resilience cannot be bought at a pharmacy or ordered online. An epic is not learned; it is lived. Argentina lives the match. It suffers, it experiences, it fights, and it never gives up.”

However, former Senegalese international Souleymane Diawara offered a more cautious perspective. “A team aiming for back-to-back titles shouldn’t be struggling against nations like Cape Verde or Egypt. Argentina remains vulnerable and hasn’t yet encountered a truly top-tier opponent,” he asserted. Former defender Éric Di Meco believes neither Switzerland in the quarter-finals this Sunday nor potential semi-final adversaries like England or Norway are likely to pose a significant threat. “Their path appears clear until the final,” he stated. “While it’s not the team I prefer to watch, their strategy is effective, and there’s no reason for them to change.” Indeed, Argentina, co-holders of the World Cup record for most matches going to extra time (12), have emerged victorious in ten of those encounters.

Are they stronger than in 2022?

Argentina’s triumph in Qatar in 2022 was also built on a foundation of hard-fought victories. While Lionel Scaloni’s men dominated Croatia 3-0 in the semi-finals, the rest of their campaign was far from straightforward. They secured a narrow 2-1 win against Australia in the round of 16, followed by two monumental clashes decided by penalty shootouts – against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals (2-2, 4-3 on penalties) and France in a memorable final (2-2, 4-2 on penalties). With the exception of the retired Angel Di Maria, the core of that World Cup-winning squad remains intact for 2026. Franck Leboeuf observed, “From the very first matches, I felt they were performing just as strongly as in 2022.” Jérôme Rothen and Éric Di Meco go further, suggesting the Albiceleste is actually “stronger than they were in Qatar four years ago.”

This perceived increase in strength is attributed both to the squad’s shared experience and the exceptional form of its key players. Di Meco commented, “Messi is performing at an even higher level than he was at the last World Cup.” The 39-year-old maestro’s eight goals have been instrumental in Argentina scoring two goals in every match of this tournament. Yet, Souleymane Diawara voiced a concern: “Messi cannot eternally be Argentina’s savior. The day he is effectively neutralized, the team will undoubtedly falter.” Nevertheless, an entire nation continues to dream of securing a second consecutive World Cup title.