ATLANTA — In a match that will go down as one of the most dramatic chapters in modern World Cup history, Lionel Messi once again cemented his legacy as soccer’s ultimate big-game player, orchestrating a late comeback that lifted Argentina to a 2-1 semifinal victory over England on Wednesday. With just one win now standing between him and a second World Cup trophy for his nation, the 39-year-old superstar did not add to his tournament-leading goal tally, but his vision and precision in the final minutes turned a likely exit into a historic ticket to the final.
This comeback marks the second unlikely rally Argentina has pulled off in this tournament, coming just eight days after a similarly improbable last-gasp win over Egypt in the round of 16. For a career already widely regarded as the greatest in the sport’s history, Wednesday’s performance added another iconic entry to Messi’s already overflowing collection of legendary moments.
England looked poised to fulfill its dream of reaching its first World Cup final since 1966, when it claimed its only global title, after Anthony Gordon put the Three Lions ahead in the 55th minute. For the next half hour, England held on tightly to its lead, clinging to the chance of a historic upset. But Argentina, a side that has built its tournament run on resilience and never-say-die spirit, had other plans.
The turning point came in the 85th minute. Working a short corner routine, Messi received a quick return pass after pushing the ball out along the touchline, spotted Enzo Fernández unmarked 25 yards from goal, and played a perfectly weighted pass into his path. Fernández fired a blistering curling shot that sailed beyond England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford into the top corner, leveling the score and shifting all momentum to Argentina.
By the time stoppage time rolled around, an Argentine winner felt almost inevitable. Just two minutes into the added stoppage period, Messi delivered again, whipping a pinpoint cross into the six-yard box. Lautaro Martínez slipped between two England defenders and guided a calm header past Pickford for the game-winning goal.
Argentina saw out the remaining minutes without conceding, and when the final whistle blew, Messi dropped to his knees on the Atlanta pitch, pumping his fists in celebration of yet another unforgettable victory. The win sets up a World Cup final showdown with Spain on Sunday, where Argentina will have the chance to make history as the first men’s national team to repeat as World Cup champions since Brazil accomplished the feat back in 1958 and 1962.
Individually, Messi remains tied with France’s Kylian Mbappé in the race for the tournament’s Golden Boot, with both strikers having notched eight goals so far. He also holds the record for most goals scored in World Cup history across all tournaments, with a total of 21. Yet for Messi, all individual accolades pale in comparison to the prize that now sits one win away: a second World Cup trophy for Argentina.