Messi, Argentina lead to come-from-behind victory over Egypt
Lionel Messi helped Argentina beat Egypt 3-2, keeping the defending champions alive and advancing to the World Cup quarter-finals.
ATLANTA — Lionel Messi was the star of Argentina’s 3-2 come-from-behind victory over Egypt in the Round of 16 of the World Cup, but after the game he seemed to be praising his true self.
After Egypt’s early opener, Messi missed a chance to equalize for Argentina in the 21st minute, but his penalty was saved by Mostafa Shvir. After Egypt extended their lead, Messi assisted Argentina’s opening goal in the 79th minute, scored the equalizer in the 83rd minute and watched Enzo Fernandes score the winning goal in the 92nd minute.
“To be honest, the group’s behavior today was crazy,” Messi said after the match. “They came back from a 2-0 deficit in the World Cup finals and it’s the same at this World Cup, no one is giving us anything.
“It’s really hard to go out there and score goals. This group showed once again that they compete, that they never give up, that they fight until the end. And today, those doubts were put to rest. That’s what they always show, that they compete until the end.”
Messi was overcome with emotion after Argentina advanced to the quarter-finals, and manager Lionel Scaloni was forced to leave the post-match interview, telling reporters, “What a great group of players, brothers.”
Forward Lautaro Martínez was overcome with emotion as Messi praised the Albiceleste group, saying that the desire to see them off with a title in their last World Cup was the driving force behind the Albiceleste group.
“Watching Leo run the way he runs, watching Leo outdo himself every day, watching him cry on the field, I told him I cried because you deserve this,” Martinez said. “He deserves it because he is our example, our guide, and someone who always helps us.”
Messi said he was grateful for the respect he received from players like Erling Haaland, after hearing he had been praised not only by his team-mates but also by his fellow players in the Golden Boot race.
“I’m grateful for all the love in the world that I’ve received, especially if it’s from my colleagues,” he said. “I’m happy and proud to be competing with this group because it makes what I went through so beautiful.”
Messi and his team will aim to advance to the semifinals by defeating Switzerland in the quarterfinals, scheduled for Saturday, June 11th in Kansas City, Missouri.
