Inshallah, the boys played well. This is a term which is well associated with the Pakistan cricket team. But on Tuesday night, it applied to Argentina and the miraculous little magician Lionel Messi when they overturned a 2-0 deficit to score three goals in 15 minutes in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Round of 16. Yet another match for Messi, yet another panic attack for the fans!
There should be a public health advisory before every World Cup knockout game in which Argentina plays. And, Messi needs to stop giving his fans panic attacks and potential cardiac arrests.
When the final whistle echoed around the Atlanta stadium in the Argentina vs Egypt fixture, Messi could no longer hide his emotions. After all, his team had just pulled off a miracle of overturning a 2-0 deficit.
Meanwhile, the fans were on the verge of collapsing. It is highly recommended that Argentinian fans consult their respective doctors. Those with blood pressure issues should keep medicines nearby. Smartwatches should be switched to emergency mode, and family members should know where the nearest hospital is.
The sudden overturn
Against Egypt, defending champions Argentina were already 2-0 down till the 78th minute. Everything appeared to be falling apart. Messi had already missed a penalty, his second of the tournament, and for a while, he looked almost frozen, struggling to process the chaos unfolding around him. Then something changed.
It was as if someone had flipped a switch. Suddenly, the same Messi who had seemed defeated was demanding the ball, driving at defenders, and refusing to let the tournament end this way.
The comeback began with his brilliant lofted assist to Cristian Romero, who powered in a header. Minutes later, Messi produced a moment only he could create—a first-time strike that crashed in off the crossbar to level the score.
And when Enzo Fernandez completed the turnaround with the winner after a counterattack, it felt as though Messi’s belief had spread through every player wearing an Argentina shirt.
This is the exact problem with Messi. Somehow, somewhere down the line, he has made the fans believe that “it’s never over, until it’s over.” And his crazy, fanatic fans keep their fingers crossed till the end of the match, hoping, “Maybe he will pull off a miracle.”
Most of the time, it usually happens.
Also read: Argentina won the match, but Cabo Verde won hearts
A decade-old problem
These sudden overturns and nail-biting finishes aren’t new to Messi. Neither is it new to his fans. They are used to such panic attacks. But it’s high time they, too, get a respite.
For example, the match against Cabo Verde in the Round of 32 had a similar outcome. A typical Messi goal for the opener, an equaliser from the debutants in the first 90 minutes. The extra time was equally stressful for the fans as the African nation again equalised before a late winner for La Albiceleste.
In the previous edition, too, Argentina was on the cusp of getting defeated, then coming back, then qualifying and ultimately lifting the trophy. Remember the finals against France? Yes, Argentina threw away a two-goal lead before winning on penalties.
Then the high-voltage match against the Netherlands? Argentina again drew the match after leading 2-0 in 90 minutes. Messi’s men went on to win the match on penalties.
It happens every single time.
You tell yourself you’ll stay calm. You tell yourself football is just a game. You promise not to overreact.
Five minutes later, you’re pacing around the room, biting nails and questioning every life choice that led you to support Argentina.
Both mental and physical health take a toll when you support such a team.
Dear Messi, somewhere in the middle of all this, you should remember that millions of fans would appreciate a comfortable 3-0 win for once. Just once. In the end, they are humans too, just like you!
(Edited by Saptak Datta)