Lionel Messi’s career has been intertwined with that of Cristiano Ronaldo for what must seem like forever for the pair. For much of the game against Egypt, Argentina’s captain had looked set to follow his old rival out of this World Cup. A sad end loomed.
Instead, when the final whistle came, his tears were very different from those of Ronaldo the night before. Overcome with emotion, there was joy in there. But relief too. This was a game that had looked unlikely to bend to his will. Messi certainly struggled.
It was not just the penalty that he had saved – again – although that was bad. Messi is the first man to miss two spot-kicks in one World Cup. In the aftermath, there were passes that were underhit, free-kicks that were overhit, and a shot that ballooned over the crossbar.
Messi saw a first-half penalty saved as Argentina struggled against Egypt
The pattern continued as the pressure built. He was dispossessed when caught on his heels. Bundled off the ball time and again. When the second Egypt goal went in, the prospect of even Messi digging deep into his reserves must have felt like a forlorn hope.
But he came alive again. It was partly tactical. Lautaro Martinez’s arrival on the pitch in place of Rodrigo De Paul allowed him to occupy a place closer to the right wing. It had been claustrophobic in the middle of the pitch. Out wide, Messi found breathing space.
Messi’s touch map shows that he found the ball in the right channel later on
In minute 79, he conjured his first assist of this World Cup for Romero’s goal. Moments later, he went on a mazy run that almost set up Martinez to nod in an equaliser. It was strange to see him dart between bodies again, a man desperate to roll back the years.
And then came his goal. Lurking just inside the box, his half-volley was expertly timed, the technique holding together when it mattered most. The goalkeeper could only push the ball into the roof of the net. Messi had rewritten the World Cup script yet again.
No man can beat time forever. That opponent is undefeated. But Messi does not need to do it forever. If he can stave off a rival even more fearsome than Ronaldo for the rest of this week and next, he could yet achieve the impossible and retain this World Cup.
With Messi, can anyone rule it out?
Keane praises Argentina ‘streetfighters’
Roy Keane praised the “streetfighter” mentality of Argentina’s players following their extraordinary comeback against Egypt to book their place in the World Cup quarter-finals.
Argentina looked destined to exit the tournament with just 11 minutes to go in regular time after goals from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico gave Egypt a shock two-goal lead.
However, three goals in just 13 minutes from Cristian Romero, Lionel Messi and Enzo Fernandez completed one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the tournament.
“These guys are streetfighters. They will not give up,” said Keane, speaking about the incredible turnaround on ITV. “I loved it. Amazing game. The quality of Argentina’s goals were amazing.”
The key moments from Atlanta
15 – GOAL! Ibrahim headed Egypt in front to kick off the drama.
21 – PENALTY SAVED! Messi cannot beat Shobeir from the spot.
59 – DISALLOWED! Zico goal disallowed for foul on Martinez.
67 – GOAL! Zico beat Martinez to double Egypt’s advantage.
79 – GOAL! Romero pulled one back from Messi’s cross.
83 – GOAL! Messi levelled the game by lashing in a half-volley.
90+2 – GOAL! Fernandez headed in to complete the comeback.
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