Lionel Messi leads Argentina to World Cup final

Lionel Messi delivered two assists in Argentina’s dramatic 2‑1 comeback win over England in the semi‑final at Atlanta, securing the team’s place in the World Cup final against Spain. He dedicated the victory to the late Argentine legend Diego Maradona, saying “I’m sure Diego is enjoying this from above – it’s a present for him.” The performance tied Messi with Brazil’s Cafú as the only players to appear in three World Cup finals (2014, 2022, 2026). Messi’s tournament statistics were highlighted: he recorded four assists, the most in the competition, and covered 46 km across six matches, averaging 7.7 km per game, with a top sprint speed of 30 km/h. Celebrations erupted in the locker room and on the streets of Buenos Aires, with fans chanting for what could be Messi’s last World Cup. The semi‑final victory reignited Argentina’s pursuit of a consecutive title and underscored Messi’s enduring influence on the global stage.