Lionel Messi leads Argentina to World Cup final after England semifinal win

Lionel Messi provided two assists as Argentina came from behind to beat England 2‑1 in the semi‑final in Atlanta, securing a place in the 2026 World Cup final against Spain on 19 July in New Jersey. The Argentine captain dedicated the victory to the late legend Diego Maradona, saying “I’m sure he is enjoying this from above”. At 39, Messi also has the chance to equal Cafú’s record by playing in his third World Cup final, a feat achieved by only one other player.

The win also intensifies the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot. Messi and Kylian Mbappé are tied on eight goals, with Mbappé leading on assists. Argentina’s celebration spread from the locker‑room to streets across Buenos Aires, with fans chanting and displaying flags. The team’s coach Lionel Scaloni praised the squad’s resilience and aims to add a fourth World Cup title.

Media coverage highlighted the historic nature of Messi’s performance, his record‑breaking statistics, and the emotional significance of the match for Argentine supporters and the global football audience.