Argentina World Cup 2026 comebacks: How Lionel Messi and company pulled off miraculous escapes to reach final

Spain’s path to the 2026 World Cup final, Sunday against Argentina, is framed around defensive control and resilience, led by Luis de la Fuente. The article credits central defenders Aymeric Laporte and Pau Cubarsí for limiting opponents, noting that goalkeeper Unai Simón has conceded only once across seven matches in North America. It contrasts that stability with Argentina’s capacity to keep winning despite pressure, saying Lionel Scaloni’s team has not led in the 90th minute of any of its four knockout matches en route to its fourth consecutive major final. The piece reviews key comeback sequences, including Argentina’s 3-2 extra-time win over tournament debutants Cape Verde, after a late equalization and additional goals by Lisandro Martínez and Sidney Lopes Cabral. It also describes Argentina’s 3-2 turnaround versus Egypt, highlighted by an equalizer from Messi and a decisive goal in the 93rd minute by Enzo Fernández after a Lautaro Martínez cross. The article positions these escapes as the backdrop for Sunday’s matchup.