Four years after lifting the World Cup in what many believed was his final appearance at the tournament, Lionel Messi has once again reached football’s biggest stage. At 39, the Argentina captain produced another decisive performance, helping his team overturn England’s lead and secure a place in a second consecutive World Cup final.

The forward provided two assists in the 2-1 victory, taking his tally at the 2026 tournament to four assists and eight goals. That puts him among the leading scorers and also makes him one of the competition’s most creative players.

Argentina will now face Spain in the final in New Jersey, a meeting that carries extra meaning given Messi’s long connection with Spanish football. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni again praised his captain, saying there was little left for him to prove after everything he has achieved.

Former England international Micah Richards also highlighted the difference made by Messi’s presence, saying that the biggest moments belong to players of his quality.

England unable to contain the Argentina captain

Messi had never previously faced England in his career, but Thomas Tuchel’s side will not want to repeat the experience. The veteran forward spent much of the first half operating through the middle, showing flashes of quality before the match changed after Anthony Gordon gave England the lead in the 55th minute.

As England moved deeper and introduced more defensive players, Argentina began controlling possession. During the following 37 minutes, they dominated the ball, and Messi became increasingly influential after moving towards the right side.

Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez later explained that using Messi on the wing became a key part of Argentina’s comeback. The forward completed nine successful dribbles and created two goals, becoming the first player since records began in 1966 to achieve that combination in a World Cup knockout match.

His impact was greater than England’s entire team in several attacking categories. Messi recorded seven touches inside the opposition penalty area, matching the total number achieved by every English player combined, while also creating four chances and delivering nine crosses.

The decisive moments came late. First, he helped create the equaliser when Enzo Fernandez struck from outside the box in the 85th minute. Then, in stoppage time, his delivery allowed Lautaro Martinez to score the winning goal with a header.

Richards described Messi as a player who can appear quiet for long periods before suddenly changing a match, while Joe Hart said England’s defensive approach gave the Argentine star the freedom to decide the game.

England captain Harry Kane admitted his team handled Messi for much of the contest but acknowledged that the world’s greatest players only need one opportunity to make the difference.

The Golden Boot battle remains open

Messi has continued rewriting his World Cup record during this tournament, reaching 21 goals across his World Cup appearances and adding to his overall Argentina scoring total. A large part of that World Cup tally has come after he turned 35.

The eight goals he has scored in 2026 have already surpassed his previous tournament total from 2022. He is now level with Kylian Mbappe in the Golden Boot race, with the France forward still having a third-place play-off match against England to play.

Jude Bellingham and Kane remain close behind with six goals each. If players finish with the same number of goals, assists become the deciding factor, and Messi currently leads that comparison with four assists compared with Mbappe’s three.

The Argentina captain could also finish as the tournament’s leading creator, sitting just one assist behind France’s Michael Olise. Former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson praised his influence, describing him as a player who has delivered both goals and moments of inspiration throughout the competition.

The question of another world cup appearance

Messi’s international career has already included several dramatic changes. In 2016, after losing a World Cup final and three Copa America finals, he stepped away from Argentina duty before returning later.

Since then, he has added two Copa America titles and finally won the World Cup in 2022. At that time, many believed the final missing achievement of his career had been completed.

His move away from European football in 2023 appeared to suggest that he was entering the final stage of his career, and even his participation in this summer’s tournament was not always considered certain. Instead, Messi has remained one of Argentina’s most important players.

His style has evolved, with the forward covering less ground than many teammates but continuing to influence matches through his vision and decision-making. Spanish journalist Guillem Balague has noted that Messi has repeatedly adapted his role throughout his career.

The Argentina star has now contributed a goal or assist in 13 straight matches for club and country. Another decisive contribution in the final against Spain would match a personal record from 2011.

A victory on Sunday would also see Messi become only the second player after Cafu to appear in three World Cup finals. Although another World Cup appearance in 2030 seems unlikely with Messi turning 43, his latest performances have shown that predictions about his future are becoming increasingly difficult.

Spain delivered one of their finest performances of the tournament to book a place in only their second World Cup final, stunning a France side that had entered the semi-final as one of the competition’s strongest teams.

Les Bleus arrived with huge attacking expectations, relying on the individual quality of players such as Kylian Mbappe, Ousmane Dembele, and Michael Olise. However, Spain showed that a perfectly organised team can overcome even the most talented group of individuals, claiming a convincing 2-0 victory.

Luis de la Fuente’s side reminded the football world why they are European champions and why they have matched the international unbeaten record of 37 games. After quietly progressing through the tournament, Spain now look ready for Sunday’s final against either Argentina or England.

France, meanwhile, was unable to find solutions against Spain’s control and tactical discipline. Despite their attacking options, they managed only three shots on target and struggled to break through a defence that has been among the strongest at the World Cup.

Former Premier League champion Chris Sutton described Spain’s display as a complete domination, saying they had “flattened” France and shown superiority in both physical and tactical areas.

Roy Keane also highlighted the contrast between the two teams, explaining that France were a collection of outstanding players who failed to operate as a unit, while Spain showed the value of collective football.

De la Fuente proves his critics wrong

Spain’s journey under Luis de la Fuente has become one of the biggest stories of the tournament. When he was appointed head coach in December 2022, some questioned whether he was the right person to lead a nation accustomed to famous managers.

Unlike previous Spain coaches with global reputations, De la Fuente arrived after working with the country’s youth teams, including the under-19, under-21, and under-23 sides. His appointment was initially viewed as a quieter choice, but his results have provided a clear response.

After winning the Nations League in 2023 and lifting the European Championship trophy in 2024, the 65-year-old has now taken Spain to the biggest match in world football.

The coach believes the team’s success comes from commitment, sacrifice, and constant improvement. He said Spain had rediscovered the spirit of the 2010 World Cup-winning generation and praised the mentality of players who continued training after the semi-final despite not featuring.

A tactical masterclass built on control

Spain’s victory was another example of the football identity they have developed over many years. Their possession-based approach, aggressive pressing after losing the ball, midfield dominance, and quick combinations caused France problems throughout the match.

The trio of Fabian Ruiz, Rodri, and Dani Olmo controlled the centre of the pitch against France’s midfield setup. Olmo’s movement from the number 10 role created constant difficulties, as he regularly dropped deeper and gave Spain an extra passing option.

France attempted to deal with Olmo’s influence by allowing a centre-back to follow him, but the Spanish midfielder repeatedly escaped pressure and connected with nearby teammates to create attacking opportunities.

Spain’s second goal showed another area where they found success. The French defensive structure left space around the full-backs, allowing Spain’s wide players and defenders to overload those areas.

France defended in a passive 4-4-1-1 shape, focusing more on zones than individual marking. Spain took advantage by sending their full-backs forward, forcing French defenders into difficult situations where they had to cover multiple opponents.

For the decisive second goal, Pedro Porro exploited that space. After playing the ball, he continued his run, received the return pass, and finished after France failed to track his movement.

Spain’s numbers underline a historic campaign

Spain’s statistics show just how impressive their tournament has been. They have now equalled Italy’s record for the longest unbeaten run in international football, reaching 37 matches without defeat.

They have also achieved a defensive milestone by becoming the first team in World Cup history to record six clean sheets in a single edition of the competition.

Lamine Yamal has been another symbol of Spain’s success. The teenager has never lost a match while representing his country and has won all 12 of his World Cup and European Championship starts.

Spain’s defensive strength was also evident against France, who produced only 0.3 expected goals — the lowest figure recorded by a team in a World Cup semi-final since Brazil against Sweden in 1994.

Despite a difficult start, including a goalless draw against debutants Cape Verde, Spain has improved as the tournament has progressed. They needed late goals against Portugal and Belgium earlier in the knockout stages, but against France they controlled the match from the beginning.

A united group chasing another title

Spain’s success has been built on a long-term connection between De la Fuente and many of his players. Several members of the squad worked with him during their youth careers, creating a strong sense of unity inside the team.

Mikel Oyarzabal, Dani Olmo, Rodri, and Unai Simon are among the players who began this journey under De la Fuente years ago, forming a group that has grown together through youth tournaments and now stands on the edge of World Cup glory.

After the victory, De la Fuente received a phone call from King Felipe VI as celebrations spread across Spain. The coach insisted there was no preferred opponent for the final, saying both England and Argentina would provide a major challenge.

Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes Spain have raised the standard at the tournament and that their performance against France showed the qualities of a potential champion.

He pointed out that Spain’s consistency and tactical clarity separate them from other contenders while describing their semi-final display as the type of performance that belongs in football schools.

England and Argentina meet once again in one of international football’s most celebrated rivalries, with Wednesday’s World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium offering both nations the chance to move within one victory of lifting the trophy. Across the decades, meetings between the sides have carried enormous significance, both on and off the pitch, helping build one of the game’s most enduring contests.

The rivalry has often been shaped by memorable World Cup encounters. Argentina claimed a famous 2-1 victory in the 1986 quarter-finals, a match remembered for Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ and his remarkable solo effort soon afterwards. Twelve years later, England’s campaign ended in a penalty shootout against the South Americans after David Beckham’s dismissal, before Beckham found redemption in 2002 by converting the decisive penalty in a 1-0 group-stage success.

That 2002 encounter remains the most recent World Cup meeting between the countries. Although relations between the nations have softened over time, highlighted by Beckham and Diego Simeone sharing a friendly moment during Argentina’s last-16 victory over Cape Verde, the competitive edge between the teams remains as strong as ever whenever they face each other.

England chasing another breakthrough

England secured their place in the last four after recovering to defeat Norway 2-1 following extra time in difficult conditions in Miami. Jude Bellingham produced both goals, continuing an exceptional tournament in which he has scored two goals in each of his last two appearances. Among England players, only Harry Kane and Gary Lineker have recorded more World Cup matches with multiple goals, while Peru’s Téofilo Cubillas remains the only midfielder in tournament history with more such games than Bellingham.

Bellingham and Kane have each collected six goals during the competition, making England the first nation to have two players score at least six times in the same World Cup. Kane is also set to earn his 121st international appearance if selected, moving clear as England’s most-capped outfield player, with only Peter Shilton having represented the national team more often.

England’s latest victory also means they have now reached the semi-finals of four major tournaments since 2018, matching the number they had achieved before that period. Thomas Tuchel is attempting to guide the Three Lions to their first major title in six decades while aiming to become only the fourth coach to reach a World Cup final with a nation other than his own.

Anthony Gordon played a major attacking role against Norway by attempting 10 dribbles, becoming the first England player to reach double figures in that category at a World Cup since Darius Vassell in 2002. Bukayo Saka, whose workload has been carefully managed because of fitness concerns, has also made a significant creative contribution, averaging 1.01 assists per 90 minutes, a figure surpassed only by Norway’s Andreas Schjelderup among players with at least 200 tournament minutes.

Last 5 England matches stats

Argentina aiming for another final

Argentina arrive in Atlanta carrying impressive momentum after winning all six of their matches at the 2026 World Cup, the longest winning sequence in their tournament history. Lionel Scaloni’s side have scored exactly three goals in each of their previous four fixtures and could become only the second team to register at least three goals in five consecutive World Cup matches.

Their attacking output has been unmatched throughout the tournament. Argentina has produced 17 goals, more than any other nation, leaving them just one short of equalling their highest total from a single World Cup, set during the inaugural edition in 1930. The reigning champions, who lifted the trophy in Qatar four years ago after overcoming France on penalties, are now pursuing another appearance in the final.

Scaloni is seeking to become only the seventh coach to oversee two World Cup finals and just the second Argentine manager to achieve that feat after Carlos Salvador Bilardo. Argentina have also maintained a flawless record in World Cup semi-finals, progressing from each of their previous five appearances at this stage.

Lionel Messi continues to lead the attack with eight goals, matching Kylian Mbappé for the tournament lead. Although he did not score in the 3-1 extra-time quarterfinal victory over Switzerland, the Inter Miami forward supplied the assist for Alexis Mac Allister’s opening goal, becoming only the second player since 1966 to record at least 10 goal involvements in multiple World Cups alongside Mbappé.

Last 5 Argentina matches stats

Rivalry, records and head-to-head

Despite the magnitude of this rivalry, England have lost only two of their 14 meetings with Argentina, recording six victories and six draws. One of those drawn contests ended in Argentina’s favour via penalties at the 1998 World Cup, while England’s last defeat in normal time against the South Americans came during the famous 1986 quarter-final.

The Three Lions have avoided defeat across 90 minutes in each of their last five meetings with Argentina and have won the previous two encounters. The latest came in a 3-2 friendly success in 2005, when Michael Owen scored twice and Wayne Rooney also found the net.

This semi-final represents the sixth World Cup meeting between the countries. Argentina has only faced Germany more often in the competition, while they have also met the Netherlands six times. Among opponents they have encountered at least three times at the World Cup, Argentina owns a lower win percentage only against Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands than it does against England.

Past H2H Results

Prediction and expected outcome

England and Argentina arrive in the semi-final in outstanding form, making this one of the most evenly balanced matches of the tournament. England have shown resilience by overcoming difficult knockout tests, while Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have provided a consistent goal threat throughout the competition. Argentina, meanwhile, have been the tournament’s highest-scoring side and carry the confidence of a six-match winning streak, with Lionel Messi continuing to influence games through both goals and assists. The match is likely to be decided by fine margins, with England aiming to impose themselves physically and Argentina relying on their technical quality and attacking fluency. Extra time cannot be ruled out, but Argentina’s experience in the latter stages of major tournaments could prove decisive in another tightly contested encounter.

Prediction: England 1-2 Argentina (after extra time)

Expected outcome: A closely fought semi-final featuring long spells of tactical discipline and few clear-cut opportunities before individual quality separates the sides. England have every chance of reaching the final, but Argentina’s attacking momentum and experience in high-pressure World Cup matches give them a slight advantage. Regardless of the result, the contest is expected to be one of the standout matches of the tournament.