Messi Fires Argentina Into Third Straight World Cup Final

Lionel Messi turned back the clock in Atlanta to send Argentina past England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final, setting up a showdown with Spain in Sunday’s final.

England had led through Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute strike, but Thomas Tuchel’s decision to bring on extra defenders and sit deeper backfired badly. Argentina dominated possession for the next 37 minutes, and Messi pushed out to the right wing took full control of the game. He completed nine dribbles and set up both Argentina goals, becoming the first player on record since 1966 to manage that combination in a single World Cup knockout match. Remarkably, England’s entire team managed only seven successful dribbles between them all game.

Messi’s touches were decisive throughout. Enzo Fernandez levelled things in the 85th minute after a Messi corner routine, before Messi’s cross found Lautaro Martinez for an injury-time winner. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez credited the tactical switch: getting Messi onto the wing unlocked Argentina’s attack. Ex-England defender Micah Richards summed up the moment simply — this is why Messi is still considered the game’s greatest.

At 39, Messi now stands as the World Cup’s all-time top scorer with 21 goals, eight of them at this tournament, level with Kylian Mbappe in the race for the Golden Boot. Messi holds the tiebreaker advantage on assists, four to Mbappe’s three, and could yet finish as the tournament’s top playmaker too.

For England, the inquest has already begun. BBC pundits and former players sharply criticised Tuchel’s substitutions once the Three Lions went ahead, with Wayne Rooney among those saying the changes cost his side the game. Cambridge United coach Beatrice Rogers argued the momentum was with England and going more defensive was the wrong call against a team of Argentina’s quality. Radio phone-ins were split — some fans want Tuchel to stay and build for the Euros, pointing to reaching the semi-final at his first attempt, while others are already calling for a change, with Pep Guardiola’s name mentioned repeatedly.

England now turn to Saturday’s third-place play-off against France, while Argentina await Spain in Sunday’s final in New Jersey.