Comeback for the Scaloneta

Lionel Scaloni once again demonstrated why his leadership is key for the Argentine National Team. After the historic comeback against Egypt in the Round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, the coach confessed that he never doubted his team's ability to turn it around, even when they were down 0-2 and had only a 0.6% chance of victory according to Opta's data.

The match seemed to be heading toward an early elimination, something that hadn't happened to a defending champion since Italy in 1986. Egypt surprised with Yasser Ibrahim's goal in the 15th minute and extended the lead with Mostafa Zico in the 67th. But the Scaloneta reacted with determination, Cristian "Cuti" Romero scored with a header from a Messi cross in the 79th minute, and four minutes later the captain himself equalized with a left-footed shot that hit the crossbar before going in. The feat was completed in the 92nd minute when Enzo Fernández headed in Lautaro Martínez's cross to seal the 3-2 and unleash madness in Atlanta.

Under control

Scaloni, true to his style, assured that he always felt the match was under control: "Beyond the result, I don't think the team played poorly. Even with the 0-2, the feeling was that at some point we would have the chance to turn it around." The coach recalled that against Cape Verde they had been in worse conditions, but that against Egypt the confidence was never lost.

The coach also praised Messi, who had missed a penalty in the first half but redeemed himself with a goal and an assist. The captain reached his 21st World Cup goal and became the first player in history to score in six consecutive knockout matches. "I am convinced that he plays football for moments like this. What he feels now is hard to explain," said Scaloni, visibly moved.

Goal 3.000

Fernández's goal, moreover, went down in history as the 3,000th of the tournament and the latest in regular time for Argentina in a World Cup. After the final whistle, several players and Scaloni himself couldn't hold back their tears. "The guys call me 'the crybaby,' but I don't care. For those of us who have played for 20 years, feeling this again is incredible," he confessed.

WATCH beIN SPORTS XTRA LIVE FOR FREE ON YOUTUBE