Lionel Scaloni was unable to hold back his emotions after Argentina’s remarkable 3-2 comeback victory over Egypt in the World Cup last 16.

The reigning champions looked close to elimination in Atlanta after falling 2-0 behind, while Lionel Messi had also missed a first-half penalty. But Argentina responded with three late goals, as Cristian Romero, Messi and Enzo Fernández completed one of the tournament’s most dramatic turnarounds.

According to Aftonbladet, Scaloni became so emotional after the final whistle that he could not complete his victory interview on the pitch.

“This means so much”

Scaloni is rarely one to lose control in front of the cameras, but the scale of Argentina’s escape appeared to overwhelm him.

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“This means so much. What a team. Sorry, I have to go,” he said, before leaving the interview.

The brief moment said plenty about the pressure Argentina had been under. For long spells, Egypt had looked capable of producing one of the biggest shocks of the World Cup. Yasser Ibrahim opened the scoring, Mostafa Ziko later made it 2-0, and Argentina were struggling to find a way through.

Then the champions found a route back. Romero headed in Messi’s cross in the 79th minute, Messi equalised four minutes later, and Fernández completed the comeback in stoppage time.

Scaloni moved by Messi response

Described by The Guardian, Scaloni also paid tribute to Messi after the match, praising the 39-year-old’s reaction to his missed penalty.

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“Messi missed a penalty but he asks for the ball again and he drives, again and again,” Scaloni said.

“I get goosebumps, to be honest. This is who we are, as Argentinians. We play our hearts out.”

It was a fitting summary of Argentina’s night. Messi had been denied from the spot by Mostafa Shobeir, but rather than fade from the match, he became central to the comeback.

Another emotional night for Argentina

The tears were not limited to Scaloni. Messi and several Argentina players were also visibly emotional after the final whistle, as the holders avoided a shocking early exit.

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The match had everything Argentina have come to represent under Scaloni: suffering, pressure, belief and late drama. It also showed why this team remains so attached to its coach.

Scaloni has led Argentina through some of the greatest moments in the country’s modern football history, but the Egypt match was a reminder that even victory can take a heavy emotional toll.

Argentina now move on to face Switzerland in the quarter-finals. But before the focus shifts to the next test, Scaloni’s interrupted interview captured the feeling of the night better than any long explanation could.

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