In Atlanta, with just 11 minutes remaining against Egypt, Argentina trailed 2-0. Lionel Messi, on the brink of ending his World Cup journey, delivered a cross that Cristian Romero headed in (79th minute). The drama escalated when Enzo Fernández’s 90th+3 minute header sealed a breathtaking 3-2 victory. Messi collapsed in tears—his team had just defied the odds in the final minutes.

“Few teams can turn around matches with this much turmoil—Messi’s missed penalty, missed chances, and the opponent’s heroics,” noted Jérôme Rothen during the broadcast. This came just days after a nail-biting 3-2 extra-time win over Cape Verde, where Argentina twice fought back from deficits, battling cramps in the process.

Despite being pushed in games, Argentina remains undefeated in 2026, turning adversity into their greatest strength. “This squad has personality and character—it’s their defining trait,” observed Rothen. Franck Leboeuf, 1998 World Cup winner, added, “Their unity is remarkable. That cohesion can decide any match against any opponent.”

The soul of Argentine football: resilience through struggle

The Argentine football culture venerates la garra—the unyielding spirit of never-say-die. Sacrifice and hardship are woven into the national narrative. Local sports daily Olé encapsulated this ethos: “Resilience isn’t bought at a pharmacy or downloaded online. Epics aren’t taught—they’re lived. Argentina lives every match. It suffers, fights, and never surrenders.”

Souleymane Diawara, former Senegalese international, cautioned, “A team chasing back-to-back titles cannot waver against nations like Cape Verde or Egypt. Argentina remains vulnerable and hasn’t faced a true powerhouse yet.” Éric Di Meco, former French defender, echoed this sentiment ahead of the Switzerland clash: “Their path to the final is wide open. Though not my preferred style, their formula works—and there’s no reason to change it.” Indeed, Argentina shares the record for most World Cup matches decided in extra time (12), winning ten of them.

Stronger than in 2022?

Argentina’s 2022 triumph in Qatar was built on razor-thin margins. While they dominated Croatia 3-0 in the semifinals, earlier rounds were defined by scrappy wins: a 2-1 victory over Australia after extra time, and two penalty shootout triumphs—against the Netherlands in the quarterfinals and France in the final. With Angel Di Maria retired, the core of the 2022 champions remains intact in 2026. “From the first match, I felt this team could replicate 2022,” said Leboeuf. Both Rothen and Di Meco believe the Albiceleste is now even stronger than four years ago.

The secret lies in collective experience and the peak form of its stars. “Messi is playing better than in the last World Cup,” Di Meco noted. Argentina has scored twice in every match this edition, largely thanks to the 39-year-old’s eight goals. Yet Diawara warns: “Messi cannot save Argentina forever. The day he’s neutralized, the entire structure could collapse.” Still, the nation clings to the dream of a second straight World Cup title.