Argentina may appear to have had a smoother journey compared to some of their rivals in the semi-finals. Cape Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland aren’t the most fearsome teams in terms of individual quality, but make no mistake, Argentina have been tested throughout the knockout stage. These teams pushed Argentina to their absolute limit, with the defending champions having to grind out very difficult wins in their last few games. Now, they will take on the mighty Three Lions in a match expected to be decided by the slimmest of margins.
120 minutes vs. Cape Verde
Argentina survived a major scare in their first knockout game, needing extra time to get past World Cup debutants Cape Verde 3-2 and keep their title defense alive. Lionel Messi opened the scoring for the defending champions, while Lisandro Martínez restored Argentina’s lead early in extra time after Deroy Duarte had equalized for Cape Verde in the second half.
The African side refused to back down, with Lopes Cabral astonishing the crowd by curling a long-range shot into the top corner during extra time, leveling the score at 2-2—scoring what may have been the best goal of the tournament. As the match appeared headed for a penalty shootout, Cristian Romero emerged as the unlikely hero, heading home a Messi corner to win the game for Argentina.
A miraculous comeback vs. Egypt
After their scare against Cape Verde, Argentina produced one of the most dramatic comebacks of the 2026 FIFA World Cup vs. Egypt. The South American giants rallied from a two-goal deficit in the final 11 minutes to defeat Egypt, 3-2. The 7-time AFCON champions stunned Argentina early, taking the lead through Yasser Ibrahim before Lionel Messi missed a penalty that could have leveled the match. Mostafa Ziko doubled Egypt’s advantage in the 67th minute, leaving Argentina on the brink of elimination.
Messi sparked the comeback with a pinpoint cross that Cristian Romero headed home before scoring the equalizer himself minutes later. With momentum fully on Argentina’s side, Enzo Fernández completed the turnaround with a late header from Lautaro Martínez’s cross, sealing an unforgettable victory and showcasing their championship mentality.
Another game with extra time vs. Switzerland
Argentina had to work hard once again, but the defending champions advanced with a 3-1 extra-time victory over Switzerland. Alexis Mac Allister gave the Albiceleste an early lead with a header from a Lionel Messi corner, but Dan Ndoye equalized in the second half to force a tense finish. Switzerland’s task became even more difficult after Breel Embolo was sent off in the 72nd minute after being given a second yellow card for simulation. Argentina eventually capitalized on its numerical advantage when Julián Álvarez scored a stunning long-range goal in the 112th minute for his first goal of the tournament, while Lautaro Martínez added a late insurance goal to seal the win. This match marked the second time Argentina were forced into an extra 30 minutes of football.
What needs to change?
Argentina have struggled to defend against counterattacks, with opponents proving to be a significant threat when they break forward. This was a clear issue in the Egypt match and was once again on display when Switzerland equalized on Saturday. Argentina’s midfield often has difficulty retaining possession of the ball and face a difficult test against a technical and physical English midfield consisting of Jude Bellingham, Declan Rice, and Elliot Anderson.
Argentina could look to utilize a player such as Giuliano Simeone, who has proven to be a threat in transitions and can create real danger with his pace on the ball, but has yet to get an opportunity to play in the knockout stage. The defending champions will need more than just a slight change in tactics; they will also need Messi to continue turning back the clock and show everyone why he is still considered one of the best in the world. If he delivers a key performance, Argentina can reach the final.
