Messi’s Masterclass Seals Argentina’s World Cup Final Berth Against Spain

Lionel Messi proved once again why he is considered by many to be the greatest of all time, orchestrating Argentina’s 2-1 victory over England in a thrilling World Cup semi-final. His two crucial assists powered the South American champions from behind to secure a place in their second consecutive World Cup final, where they will face Spain.

The veteran forward, now 39, has been a driving force throughout the tournament, contributing significantly to Argentina’s campaign. His performance against England, in particular, showcased his enduring brilliance. Messi provided the assists for Enzo Fernandez’s equalizer and Lautaro Martinez’s injury-time winner, taking his assist tally for the 2026 World Cup to four, in addition to his eight goals.

Key facts
| Player | Goals | Assists |
|—|—|—|
| Lionel Messi | 8 | 4 |
| Kylian Mbappe | 8 | 3 |
| Harry Kane | 6 | – |
| Jude Bellingham | 6 | – |

Messi’s Impact on the Wing

After England took a 55th-minute lead through Anthony Gordon, Argentina, under pressure from a more defensive English setup, found their momentum when Messi was deployed to the right wing. This tactical shift proved decisive. Argentina dominated possession for the final 37 minutes, with Messi completing nine dribbles against England, a feat unmatched by any other player in a single World Cup knockout game since 1966. He also created four chances and delivered nine crosses, directly contributing to both of Argentina’s goals.

“Getting Messi on the wing was the key for us,” stated goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez after the match. Former England defender Micah Richards lauded Messi’s ability to influence the game, noting, “This is why he is the king.” Joe Hart, ex-England goalkeeper, described Messi as having the “skeleton key” that “absolutely ran the show for the last 15 minutes.”

A Career of Records and Resilience

This World Cup run continues a remarkable career for Messi. He has become the all-time top scorer at World Cups with 21 goals, with 15 of those coming after his 35th birthday. His eight goals in this tournament equal Kylian Mbappe’s tally, positioning him to potentially win the Golden Boot. If goal tallies are level, assists become the tie-breaker, where Messi currently holds an advantage with four.

Messi’s journey to this point has been marked by resilience. He famously retired from international football in 2016 after multiple final losses but reversed his decision, leading Argentina to Copa America glory and the 2022 World Cup title. His continued participation and impact at the highest level, even at 39, defy expectations. His tactical evolution, highlighted by his reduced off-ball movement compared to other players, demonstrates an intelligent adaptation of his game.

The Final Against Spain

Argentina will now face Spain in the final in New Jersey. This matchup holds personal significance for Messi, as Spain is the country where he spent the majority of his club career with Barcelona. National team boss Lionel Scaloni expressed his admiration: “He’s the best player in history, I don’t know what else he would have to do to prove that. The majority of Spaniards love him.”

The upcoming final could see Messi become only the second player after Cafu to play in three World Cup finals. Whether this is his final World Cup appearance remains a question, but his performance against England suggests he is far from finished.

Source: BBC Sport Football – ‘That’s why he’s the king’ – Messi sets up third World Cup final – https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c8jnl9zdzn2o

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