Early in the second period of extra time, with the score between Argentina and Cabo Verde still locked at 2-2, Lionel Messi called for a short pass from Julian Alvarez to play a quick one-two. Instead, the striker opted for a longer ball that failed to find its target. Messi responded by putting his hands on his head, wiping the sweat from his brow and letting out a deep sigh. Something was not quite clicking – an unfamiliar sight for this Argentina side.
A few minutes later, Cristian Romero powered home the header that proved to be the decisive goal in the . After the celebrations – plenty of embraces and whispered words, but little exuberance – the Argentina captain walked over to the defender and motioned with his arms for the team to push up the pitch. The message was unmistakable: see out the closing minutes in the opposition half, keep hold of the ball and continue pressing, despite heavy legs and tired lungs.
And that’s exactly what they did. It wasn’t a performance that is usually associated with Argentina – one of possession and patient recycling of the ball. It was something else. Sometimes in football, there are matches you have to fight to survive first, and only then can you win them. The Albiceleste left everything out on the pitch in the final few minutes. Far from their brilliant best, the reigning champions got the job done.
The ability to persevere through adversity and stay in the game is a virtue the team demonstrated on several occasions during Lionel Scaloni’s tenure. The capability to switch styles and adapt mid-game didn’t appear overnight. It has been forged by past experiences, particularly in the quarter-finals of Qatar 2022 when the Netherlands came back from 2-0 down to level the game, as did France in the final thanks to Kylian Mbappe’s sensational quick-fire brace.
Argentina's success has been built on a combination of outstanding talent, Messi's extraordinary brilliance and leadership, and the winning mentality they have cultivated over recent years. But also because of the small scars this squad has suffered – lessons that were not in vain.
“It was clear that we struggled at the last World Cup. We didn’t want it to happen so early on, but if we have to suffer, we’ll have to suffer to keep moving forward,” Nicolas Tagliafico told FIFA.
This resilience became a necessity rather than a choice since Argentina never looked completely comfortable on the ball thanks to a spirited Cabo Verde performance. With Thiago Almada moving into central areas and Rodrigo De Paul playing alongside Enzo Fernandez and Alexis Mac Allister, Argentina tried to work the ball through the middle to pick out Messi and Lautaro Martinez in front of goal. However, Cabo Verde’s defensive organisation and physical strength closed down those avenues and frustrated the world champions.
“We suffered a lot in this game. It was a very tough and physical game and it became an uphill battle,” admitted Enzo Fernandez.
But the Argentine team made up for their lack of finesse with a dose of dogged determination and tenacity. With Messi leading the press, the Albiceleste ran to regain possession after every turnover and tried to stifle every attack. The Blue Sharks were still able to create chances and cause the world champions some problems, but Scaloni’s men never stopped running.
Facundo Medina eventually came off, Enzo Fernandez suffered cramp and Nahuel Molina, who was also substituted, left the pitch completely exhausted. Mac Allister kept things under control as the game bled into extra time, but even the Liverpool star was helpless as Sidny Lopez Cabral cut inside before delivering a sumptuous curling effort to draw the scores level at 2-2.
“Most of the players were cramping up because it was such a hard game, but nobody gave up or asked to be taken off and I’m really happy and proud of the team,” Lisandro Martinez, who scored the second goal, told FIFA.
“It got difficult. We did the hardest part, which was to score first and get ahead, but they showed why they managed to draw against both Spain and Uruguay. They kept coming back at us and it got difficult. It was a struggle, but that’s important to go through,” said Messi after scoring his seventh goal of the tournament.
The sight of a team full of cramp and fatigue but refusing to give up showed how Argentina managed to eventually get over the line. The three-time World Cup winners will be relieved to have survived a scare, but know that there is more to come.
The bar will be even higher in the Round of 16. The team knows how to win under pressure, but with Egypt in their sights, Tagliafico confessed: “We got through but it wasn’t the performance that we were looking for."
Sources: FIFA Official
