Tearful Messi after comeback: 'We were in an ugly place'

Lionel Messi openly wept after Argentina's stunning World Cup comeback against Egypt, a match that saw the reigning champions rally from a two-goal deficit in the final minutes. Argentina secured a 3-2 victory, advancing to the quarterfinals with three goals in the last 11 minutes.

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I think it was relief. Relief for everyone. It was ugly when we were down 0-2.

"I think it was relief. Relief for everyone. It was ugly when we were down 0-2," Messi said, reflecting on the emotional rollercoaster. The 39-year-old forward, likely in his final World Cup, had earlier missed a penalty and watched as Egypt extended their lead to 2-0 midway through the second half.

Argentina's path to the quarterfinals seemed precarious, but Cristian Romero's header, followed by Messi's equalizer and Enzo Fernandez's late winner, completed the dramatic turnaround. "To turn a game around like that – to come back after being down 0-2 – was not easy, especially considering how the World Cup has developed and that no team gives up," Messi added.

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To turn a game around like that – to come back after being down 0-2 – was not easy, especially considering how the World Cup has developed and that no team gives up.

His teammates celebrated wildly, lifting him in the air. "It was a moment of pure joy and relief. We wanted to stay in the tournament. We didn't want it to end today. We didn't want to go home," Messi stated. He identified Romero's goal as the pivotal moment, reigniting the team's belief.

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It was a moment of pure joy and relief. We wanted to stay in the tournament. We didn't want it to end today. We didn't want to go home.

Messi, now the tournament's top scorer with eight goals and the all-time World Cup leader with 21, acknowledged the team's resilience. "We were lucky to equalize and then win the game in regular time. We did it. It's simply incredible what this group of players has achieved," he said. Argentina is set to face Switzerland in the quarterfinals.

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Fortunately, we managed to get that goal. That was the moment when I think everyone on the pitch felt it and believed that it was possible, that we could do it.