There is no single explanation for Argentina’s comeback obsession.
England’s late goals against DR Congo and Norway can be directly attributed to coach Thomas Tuchel’s tactical changes. Spain, in their ranks, have a player who has played the role of super sub-Michael Merino. Argentina, however, is not one-dimensional. They can rely on pure individual brilliance, such as Julian Alvarez’s 112th-minute strike against Switzerland, or, alternatively, lull opponents into believing they can score a late goal to mount a devastating counter, which resulted in Enzo Fernandez’s injury-time goal against Egypt.
Existing in a dimension where solitary football tactics no longer apply, comeback pundits continue to create one theatrical ending after another. Out of 48 teams in the competition, only 10 teams have managed to score at least 10 goals. Argentina have scored 10 goals in the 75th minute alone. Messi has also recorded late strikes against Algeria, Austria and Jordan, although it had no impact on the outcome of the match.
Take a look at some of Argentina’s key comebacks:
Argentina 3-1 Switzerland 1-1 (Quarter-Finals)
10′: Alexis McAllister gives Argentina an early lead.
67′: Dan Ndoye restores parity for Switzerland.
112′: Reduced to 10 men in the 72nd minute, Switzerland defend heroically and edge within touching distance of a penalty. Then comes the inevitable twist. Julian Alvarez put Argentina in the lead after beating Gregor Kobel into the top corner.
121′: Lautaro Martínez puts the tie beyond doubt as he puts Cobel into the net and pounces on Thiago Almada’s rebound.
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Argentina 3-2 Egypt 0-2 (Round of 16)
15′: The Pharaohs draw first blood as Yasir Ibrahim puts Egypt ahead by slotting past Emiliano Martinez.
67′: After being flagged for a foul at the other end of the pitch, Mostafa Zico finally doubles his side’s advantage and heads home Haisem Hasan.
79′: Lifeline for Argentina. Lionel Messi’s inch-perfect cross is unmarked by Cristian Romero, whose header is powerful enough to beat goalkeeper Mostafa Shober.
83′: Another Messi cross causes chaos in the Egyptian penalty box. The ball eventually rolls into the path of the Argentina captain, who hammers home a left-footed rocket to make it 2-2.
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90+2′: Lautaro Martinez produces the cross of his life. Enzo Fernandez, despite standing just 5’10”, towered above all others to take home the age group title.
Argentina 3-2 from Cape Verde 1-1 (Round of 32)
29′: Messi scores his seventh goal of the tournament past World Cup breakout star Vozinha.
59′: From an incredibly acute angle, Deroy Duarte threads his shot through the legs of centre-back Lisandro Martinez and then past goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. 1-1.
92′: Lisandro Martínez atoned for his earlier mistake, scoring from the spot where Messi scored.
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103′: Sidney Lopes Cabral produces a moment of pure magic, curling a shot into the net that should have been the goal of the tournament.
111′: Like Switzerland, Cape Verde were 10 minutes away from a penalty shootout when Romero’s header from a corner deflected off centre-back Diné and into the net. Discomfort was avoided.
75th minute goals scored by the four semi-finalists:
1. Argentina – 10 (58.9% of total goals)
2. Spain – 3 (27.3% of total goals)
3. England – 3 (23.1% of total goals)
4. France – 3 (18.8% of total goals)