Key Takeaways
- Lionel Messi delivered two pivotal assists, leading Argentina to a 2-1 semi-final win against England.
- Argentina staged a dramatic late comeback, scoring two goals in the final minutes to secure victory.
- The win extends Argentina's remarkable record of never losing a World Cup semi-final.
- Messi is set to appear in his third World Cup final, aiming to secure his second title.
- Argentina is striving to become the first nation since Brazil in 1962 to successfully defend the World Cup.
- The upcoming final will mark the first competitive encounter between Messi and Spain.
Lionel Messi, already a World Cup champion, added another illustrious chapter to his extraordinary career on Wednesday, inspiring Argentina to a thrilling semi-final victory over England. The defending champions found themselves trailing until the 85th minute in Atlanta, courtesy of Anthony Gordon's goal, before Messi unleashed his unparalleled magic.
While the tournament's all-time leading marksman didn't find the net himself, his vision and execution were instrumental. He first teed up Enzo Fernandez for the crucial equalizer, then delivered a pinpoint cross for Lautaro Martinez to head in the winner, sealing a dramatic 2-1 triumph. "These are special feelings. I think the squad could feel it, and this was a game the Argentine people really wanted to win, and so did we," Messi, 39, remarked after facing England for the first time in his career. He acknowledged the enduring significance of the fixture.
Though he couldn't quite replicate Diego Maradona's iconic brace against England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final, Messi's two assists proved equally decisive. Having already emulated his legendary predecessor by lifting the trophy four years ago in Qatar, Messi now stands on the precipice of further history. Argentina's incredible record of never having lost a World Cup semi-final remains intact, paving the way for Messi's second consecutive final appearance and his third overall.
The South Americans are now poised to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil achieved the feat in 1962. Messi, the sole survivor from the squad that lost to Germany in the 2014 final, is set to join Brazilian great Cafu as only the second player to feature in three World Cup finals. "It is crazy to be playing in back-to-back finals," he exclaimed, reflecting on the monumental achievement.
Argentina had previously demonstrated their resilience with a stunning late comeback against Egypt, securing a 3-2 victory in the last 16 at the same Atlanta stadium. They sensed an opportunity as England adopted a deeper defensive posture after taking the lead. "Once again we managed to do the job when things were looking bad. We never stopped believing," said Messi, who has now played a record 33 World Cup games across six different tournaments.
For significant portions of the match, Messi's influence appeared limited, a familiar pattern in his career. Yet, as always, he found a way to elevate his team to victory. England captain Harry Kane acknowledged this, stating, "I felt like for large parts of the game, we dealt with him really well. But as always with the most dangerous players in the world, when they have the ball in the final third, they can create something. He's done that again today. He's obviously one of the best players ever for a reason."
Messi's claim as the greatest of all time will be further solidified if Argentina successfully defends their title in Sunday's final against Spain. Both Pelé and Maradona only played in two World Cup finals, with Maradona winning the trophy just once. Messi is also the all-time top scorer in World Cup history with 21 goals, though Kylian Mbappé remains a close contender.
His decision to continue international football beyond 2022, coupled with his move to Inter Miami, appears to have been a strategic move to preserve his form for this World Cup. England coach Thomas Tuchel aptly summarized his enduring impact: "He is just the leader and key player in any team in which he plays." Now, Messi faces Spain in a competitive game for the first time, a fixture made even more special by his deep personal history with the country. Before contemplating a return to Castelldefels, Messi is focused solely on dousing Spain's dreams of glory.
Why This Matters
This victory not only propels Argentina into a historic World Cup final but also underscores Lionel Messi's unparalleled longevity and continued influence at the highest level of international football, solidifying his legacy as one of the sport's all-time greats.