ATLANTA (AP) — It was another World Cup epic from an Argentina team that simply doesn’t know when it’s beaten._x000D_
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Trailing 2-0 against Egypt with 11 minutes of regulation time to play on Tuesday, the defending champions rallied for an improbable 3-2 victory and a spot in the quarterfinals._x000D_
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“We have a phenomenal group, a group that never gives up no matter the difficulties and adversity. We’re always together,†said Enzo Fernandez, who scored the winning goal in stoppage time._x000D_
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Argentina will play either Switzerland or Colombia in the next round on Saturday in Kansas City, Missouri._x000D_
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For much of Tuesday’s game, it looked like it would be a painful exit for the 39-year-old Lionel Messi in what might be the last of his six World Cups._x000D_
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Egypt led after goals in each half from Yasser Ibrahim and Mostafa Zico and could have been ahead 3-0 if not for a video review that ruled out another score._x000D_
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Argentina looked down and out, its bid to be the first team to win back-to-back World Cup titles since Brazil in 1958 and 1962 all but dead._x000D_
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“The heart of Argentinians is always something that pushes, that we keep going no matter what, that we give everything until the end. And honestly, with the score 2-0, we looked a bit beaten,†Argentina striker Julian Alvarez said. “There was little time left, but we always manage to get something more by fighting until the end.â€_x000D_
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Cristian Romero started the rally by scoring with a header in the 79th minute. Messi, who was in tears after the final whistle, scored his eighth goal of the tournament and record-extending 21st goal at the World Cup in the 83rd to level the score at 2-2 and Fernandez completed the comeback in injury time._x000D_
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“Four years have passed since Qatar, and we’ve come to enjoy another World Cup — and we want to win it again. That’s what we’re aiming for,†Fernandez said._x000D_
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Argentina is no stranger to heroic matches at the World Cup.
