Lionel Messi Rewrites History with Assists as Argentina Edge England 2-1 to Reach FIFA World Cup 2026 Final

Lionel Messi once again proved why he is considered the greatest of all time, inspiring Argentina to a sensational 2-1 victory over England in a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final clash at the Mercedes-Benz Stadium on Wednesday. The 39-year-old maestro orchestrated a dramatic late comeback with two pivotal assists, propelling La Albiceleste into their second consecutive World Cup final and etching his name further into the annals of football history.

The pulsating encounter saw England take the lead through Anthony Gordon's strike in the 55th minute, threatening to end Argentina's dreams. However, with time winding down, Messi's unparalleled vision and execution came to the fore. He delivered the crucial passes that led to Enzo Fernández's equalizer in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martínez's stoppage-time winner in the 90+2 minute, sending the Argentine faithful into raptures.

Lionel Messi's Historic Milestones

Messi's two assists in this semi-final triumph not only secured Argentina's path to the final but also saw him break yet another long-standing record. He now stands alone as the FIFA World Cup's all-time assist leader with 12 assists. This achievement is particularly remarkable as he has created goals for 11 different teammates across his six World Cup tournaments, a testament to his consistent playmaking brilliance throughout his storied career.

It's been a tournament of records for the Argentine captain. During the 2026 edition, Messi surpassed Miroslav Klose's previous benchmark of 16 goals to become the FIFA World Cup's all-time leading scorer, now holding the record with 21 goals. His continued dominance at 39 years old further solidifies his status as a living legend.

Rivalry Renewed

The historic rivalry between Argentina and England, often fueled by dramatic World Cup encounters, added another memorable chapter. This victory brings their head-to-head World Cup record to three wins for England, two for Argentina, and one draw. England, under German head coach Thomas Tuchel, had hoped to reach their first World Cup final since 1966, but Messi's heroics dashed those aspirations.

Argentina now awaits the winner of the other semi-final as they seek to defend their World Cup title. Messi's performance not only showcased his enduring brilliance but also firmly established him as the tournament's most prolific playmaker, adding a new dimension to his legendary status.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 16, 2026 09:14 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).