Argentina captain Lionel Messi confirmed that team spirit was the key factor in his country's qualification to the round of 16 of the 2026 World Cup, stressing that 'La Albiceleste' does not rely solely on individual skills but on a complete system capable of fighting until the last moments.

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Messi's comments came after Argentina's thrilling 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde, which set up a round of 16 clash with Egypt. Messi said Argentina once again proved to be a complete team, explaining that the players continue to display the same spirit that has characterized the national team in recent years. He added: 'We are not just a group of talented players, but a team that knows how to fight and compete until the final whistle, and that's what we showed again.' The Argentina captain pointed out that set pieces played a decisive role in settling the match, as the winning goal came from a header by defender Cristian Romero following a corner kick taken by Messi in the second half of extra time. He explained that the team has been paying great attention to this aspect for a long time, both offensively and defensively, stressing that continuous work on set pieces pays off in big matches. He added that the Argentine national team has many players skilled in aerial duels, not just Cristian Romero or Lisandro Martinez, but also Nico Gonzalez and Alexis Mac Allister, along with other elements capable of exploiting high balls. Messi concluded his remarks by emphasizing that small details often make the difference in tournaments like the World Cup, noting that investment in set pieces will remain one of the most important weapons for the Argentine team during its journey in the tournament, as it prepares to face Egypt in the round of 16.