Lionel Messi opens up after Argentina’s comeback win vs Egypt in FIFA World Cup 2026 round of 16

Lionel Messi-led La Albiceleste are now in the quarter-finals.

Led by Lionel Scaloni, the Argentina national football team are defending their World Cup crown. They were back in action on the world stage for their round of 16 contest against the Egypt national football team. It was one of the most thrilling games of the FIFA World Cup 2026, with Lionel Messi and company securing an important 3-2 win in the end.

The Pharaohs had a two-goal lead and gave it all away within moments. The Argentine attack shifted the tempo after everything was looking in favour of Mohamed Salah’s Egypt. Lionel Scaloni made some tactical changes, which eventually worked out for the defending champions.

Cristian Romero came up with an important goal in the 79th minute, which initiated the comeback for the Argentina national football team. Messi soon came up with an equaliser, and they were looking back in control. In stoppage time, it was Enzo Fernandez who tapped the ball into the back of the net to help his side secure a spot in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarterfinals.

Also Read: Lionel Messi equals Miroslav Klose’s record with 14th FIFA World Cup knockout appearance

Lionel Messi’s reaction

The 39-year-old once again engraved his name on the scoresheet for La Albiceleste. He is the top goal scorer in the FIFA World Cup 2026, with eight goals to his name. He also extends his World Cup goal tally to 21 goals.

Messi missed a penalty early in the game. It could have cost them, but a strong performance by La Albiceleste was good enough for a comeback. After Argentina edged past Egypt, the veteran forward was spotted shedding tears.

After Argentina’s comeback win against Egypt, Messi said, “I felt that at an important moment, I let my teammates down because of the penalty I missed and the way I took it. But thankfully once again, God had something special prepared for me in the end.”

“I’m very happy,” said Messi further.

The 39-year-old also mentioned that he and his teammates did not deserve to go home.

“We didn’t want and didn’t deserve to go home, we could not let it end like that. This group really deserved to keep going. We never give up, at all. Never.”

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