Messi Leads Argentina to World Cup Final with Stunning Performance Against England

Lionel Messi, at age 39, continues to defy expectations by leading Argentina to the 2026 World Cup final after a 2-1 victory over England in the semifinals. Despite doubts about his career winding down after the 2022 World Cup, Messi delivered two assists and dominated the match, helping Argentina maintain 88% ball possession in the final 37 minutes. This performance extended his World Cup record to eight goals and four assists in the 2026 tournament, tying with Kylian Mbappé as top scorers and placing second in assists.

Argentina will face Spain in the final on Sunday in New Jersey, a poignant matchup given Messi’s long career at Barcelona. Argentina’s coach Lionel Scaloni praised Messi as "the best player in history," while English commentators from BBC and ESPN hailed him as the greatest of all time. Messi’s tactical shift to the right wing was pivotal, enabling him to complete nine successful dribbles and set up both goals, a feat unmatched in World Cup knockout history since 1966.

The first assist led to Ansu Fernandez’s equalizer in the 85th minute, and the second, a precise cross in stoppage time, allowed Lautaro Martinez to score the winning goal. England’s goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and former players like Joe Hart and Steve McManaman acknowledged Messi’s decisive influence in the match’s closing stages. Captain Harry Kane also recognized Messi’s unique ability to change the game instantly.

Messi has now scored 21 World Cup goals, becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer, with 15 goals scored after turning 35. He is on a 13-game streak of scoring or assisting for Argentina and Inter Miami, nearing his personal record of 14 consecutive games with goal involvement. If he scores or assists in the final, he will join only one other player, Cafu, to appear in three World Cup finals.

Despite speculation about retirement, Messi remains at the peak of his powers. He reflected on the significance of defeating England, emphasizing the team’s relentless fighting spirit and determination to win within regulation time. The World Cup final against Spain will be a historic moment for Messi and Argentine football.