Lionel Messi: What Argentina did in comeback vs Egypt was 'crazy'
Lionel Messi: What Argentina did in comeback vs Egypt was 'crazy'
Jon Arnold, USA TODAYTue, July 7, 2026 at 11:53 PM UTC
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ATLANTA — Lionel Messi was the star of Argentina's 3-2 comeback win over Egypt in the World Cup round of 16, but true to form he looked to give credit to those around him after the game.
After an early opener from Egpyt, Messi missed the opportunity to bring Argentina level in the 21st minute, seeing his penalty saved by Mostafa Shoubir. After Egypt extended its lead, Messi assisted Argentina's first goal in the 79th minute, scored the equalizer in the 83rd and watched as Enzo Fernandez netted the winner in the 92nd.
"Honestly, what the group did today was crazy," Messi said after the match. "They turned around a 2-0 deficit in a World Cup knockout match, with how this World Cup has been going as well, where nobody gifts you anything.
"It’s really difficult to get in, to put together a goal. This group has showed once again that it competes, it never gives up, it tries until the end and today it turned a doubt around. It’s what it always shows, that it competes until the end."
Messi was emotional after Argentina secured its passage to the quarterfinals, as was manager Lionel Scaloni who had to leave a post-match interview after saying, "What a group of players, brother," to the journalist.
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The emotion poured over with forward Lautaro Martinez noting that the desire to see Messi off with a title in his final World Cup is a driving factor for the Albiceleste group that Messi praised.
"Seeing Leo run the way he runs, seeing Leo outdo himself every day, I just told him on the field when I saw him crying that I cried because you deserve this," Martinez said. "He deserves it because he’s our example, our guide, the person who always helps us."
Told of getting compliments not just from his teammates but also from fellow players in the golden boot race, Messi said he was grateful for the respect of players like Erling Haaland.
"I’m thankful the love of the whole world I’ve received, even more when it’s fellow colleagues," he said. "I’m happy, proud to compete alongside this group because it makes what I’ve experienced very beautiful."
Messi and Co. will look to clinch a place in the semifinals by beating Switzerland in a quarterfinal match set for Saturday, June 11 in Kansas City, Missouri.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Leo Messi praises Argentina teammates after 'crazy' comeback vs Egypt
Source: “AOL Sports”
