Soccer <\/p>\n
Lionel Scaloni insisted he always believed Argentina could turn things around despite finding themselves 2-0 down against Egypt in their last 16 tie at the World Cup.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Argentina were staring down the barrel of becoming the first defending champions to exit the tournament at this stage since Italy in 1986 after being stunned by their opponents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Yasser Ibrahim headed Egypt into a 15th-minute lead before\u00a0Mostafa Zico, who had seen an earlier goal ruled out by VAR, finished past Emiliano Martinez in the 67th minute.\u00a0<\/p>\n
However, Argentina hit back with two goals in the space of four minutes.\u00a0Cristian Romero headed in Lionel Messi’s cross in the 79th minute before the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner thundered the equaliser in off the crossbar.\u00a0<\/p>\n
But there was to be more late drama. After\u00a0Julian Alvarez sent\u00a0Lautaro Martinez on his way, he crossed for\u00a0Enzo Fernandez to head home and complete an incredible comeback.\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Opta’s win probability data, Argentina had just a 0.6% chance of winning at the time of Romero’s goal to make it 2-1.<\/p>\n
Argentina were trailing as of the 78th minute of this match, the latest any team has ever been 2+ goals down in a World Cup game and come back to win without going to extra time, as they won a game in which they trailed by two goals at the competitions for the first time.<\/p>\n
Scaloni, however, revealed that he was always confident that his team would find a way to win and keep their title defence going, with Switzerland their next opponents.\u00a0<\/p>\n
“I always felt the game was on our side. Beyond the result, I \u200bdon’t think the team was playing badly. We had chances,” Scaloni told reporters.<\/p>\n
“Against Cape Verde it was worse, we really looked in trouble. Today, even when it was 0-2, the feeling was that at some point we \u200bwould get a chance and \u200bcould turn it \u2060around.<\/p>\n
“Against Egypt, we played totally different soccer.”<\/p>\n
\n78 \u2013\u00a0Argentina were trailing as of the 78th minute, the latest any team has ever been 2+ goals down in a FIFA World Cup game and come back to win without going to extra time (3-2).<\/p>\n
Legendary. pic.twitter.com\/sQUtiaoAbL<\/a><\/p>\n