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Lionel Messi once again proved why football’s greatest moments still belong to him. The Argentina captain inspired the reigning champions to a dramatic 2-1 victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-finals, scoring two decisive assists in the dying minutes to send La Albiceleste to a second consecutive World Cup final. In doing so, the 39-year-old broke another long-standing World Cup record, becoming the career leader for assists at the tournament, and also achieved a statistical feat that no player has managed since Opta began recording detailed World Cup data in 1966.
Messi turns the semi-final on its head as Argentina fight back
The semifinal in Atlanta developed into one of the most tactically and physically demanding matches of the tournament.Neither side managed to hit the crossbar before half-time as Argentina and England canceled each other out through an intense midfield battle that produced 19 fouls before the break. According to broadcasters, it was the first World Cup match since 1966 without a single shot in the first 30 minutes.England finally broke the deadlock in the 55th minute. Harry Kane launched a quick counter-attack before Morgan Rogers crossed for Anthony Gordon, who calmly converted his first World Cup goal to give the Three Lions a 1-0 lead.Argentina immediately increased the pressure.Alexis Mac Allister hit the post with a diving header, while Jordan Pickford made a superb save to keep out Nic González as England desperately tried to preserve their lead.The breakthrough eventually arrived five minutes early. After an initial effort was pushed away by Pickford, Messi quickly moved into possession and found Enzo Fernández on the edge of the box. The Chelsea midfielder scored a brilliant left-footed shot beyond the English goalkeeper in the 85th minute to restore parity.
Argentina’s Lionel Messi celebrates after teammate Enzo Fernandez scored their team’s first goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
With extra time looming, Messi once again produced the decisive moment.Mac Allister’s header hit the post before Messi was first to react and collect the loose ball. The skipper promptly slotted into the six-yard box where Lautaro Martínez rose highest to score the winner in stoppage time, completing another remarkable Argentine comeback and securing a place in Sunday’s World Cup final against Spain.
Argentina’s Lautaro Martinez hugs teammate Lionel Messi as he celebrates after scoring his team’s second goal during the World Cup semifinal soccer match between England and Argentina in Atlanta, Wednesday, July 15, 2026. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)
Messi broke the World Cup assists record
The two assists took Messi to territory that no other player has reached before.According to Opti, the Argentina captain now has 12 career assists at the World Cup, the highest total since records began in 1966.Even more remarkable, 10 of those 12 assists came during knockout games, another record unbeaten by any player in World Cup history. Before Messi’s latest masterclass, no footballer had recorded more than eight assists in total in the final.The updated all-time leaderboard now reads:
- Lionel Messi (Argentina) — 12 assists in 33 World Cup games
- Pelé (Brazil) — 10 assists in 14 games
- Fritz Walter (West Germany) — 9 assists in 11 games
- Raymond Kopa (France) — 8 assists in 8 games
- Diego Maradona (Argentina) — 8 assists in 21 games
- Uwe Seeler (West Germany) — 8 assists in 21 games
Another record belongs to Messi
Messi’s all-round display was as historic as it was decisive. Official data from Opta credited him with nine successful dribbles and two assists against England.This made him the first player on record since 1966 to complete at least nine successful dribbles and provide two assists in the same World Cup knockout match.He also extended his scoring or assist streak to 13 consecutive World Cup games, another record unmatched since Opti’s detailed database began in 1966.
The final chapter awaits
Messi’s latest masterpiece also boosted his individual tournament numbers.He now has eight goals and four assists at the 2026 World Cup, moving him to the top of the Golden Boot rankings. Although he is tied with Kylian Mbappé on eight goals, Messi’s four assists outscore Mbappé’s three, giving the Argentina captain the lead in the tiebreak with the now-out of the tournamentThe win sends Lionel Scaloni’s side into a second consecutive World Cup final, where they will meet an unbeaten Spanish side in pursuit of back-to-back major international titles.But for Messi, the night in Atlanta represented something even greater than another performance in the biggest game of football.Every major World Cup record that was once considered untouchable continues to fall.Against England, he became the tournament’s biggest creator, achieving a statistical output never before seen in a knockout game and showing once again that, even at the age of 39, Argentina’s quest for another world title still revolves around the brilliance of their captain.
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