From the brink to ecstasy
The margins between a tragic farewell and footballing immortality have never felt thinner. Inside a roaring stadium, Argentina looked dead and buried. When Lionel Messi stood over the penalty spot, the world held its breath for a trademark moment of magic, only to watch in collective shock as the Egyptian keeper guessed correctly, pulling off a stunning save to deny the maestro.
But true champions are forged in the fires of adversity. Driven by a refusal to let their captain’s story end in heartbreak, La Albiceleste engineered a furious, breathless second-half rebellion. Striking back with relentless intensity, they scored three unanswered goals to pull off a staggering 3-2 comeback victory, snatching a quarterfinal berth from the jaws of defeat.
Photos: Reuters
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