Lionel Messi guides Argentina past England to reach third World Cup final

Lionel Messi produced two late assists to lead Argentina to a 2-1 victory over England, securing his place in a third World Cup final. The 39-year-old forward set up Enzo Fernández’s 85th-minute equaliser and Lautaro Martínez’s injury-time winner to overcome an early deficit in New Jersey.

After England took a 55th-minute lead through Anthony Gordon, Argentina dominated with 88 per cent possession for the remaining 37 minutes. Messi completed nine dribbles and created four chances, matching the entire English squad’s combined touches inside the opposition box. Goalkeeper Emiliano Martínez highlighted this tactical shift, stating that getting Messi on the wing was the key for the team.

This performance underscores Messi’s enduring value to the global football economy. His continued elite output sustains peak broadcast viewership for the tournament while simultaneously driving unprecedented commercial momentum and brand valuation for his Major League Soccer franchise, Inter Miami.

His longevity is rooted in tactical adaptation rather than sheer physical output. Data indicates Messi walked 47 per cent of the total distance he covered during this tournament, the highest percentage of any outfield player, before shifting to the wing to exploit defensive gaps.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni noted that the majority of Spaniards love the player, ahead of Sunday’s final against Spain. Former England goalkeeper Joe Hart observed that England’s defensive retreat ultimately handed Messi the "skeleton key" to dismantle their structure.

Messi now has eight goals and four assists at the 2026 World Cup. Fifteen of his record 21 career World Cup goals have come since his 35th birthday, defying conventional athletic decline. This ties him with Kylian Mbappé for the scoring lead while giving him the advantage in tie-breaking assists.

He has now scored or assisted in 13 consecutive matches for club and country. Former England captain Harry Kane acknowledged that while his team dealt with the threat for large parts, the most dangerous players can always create something. A goal contribution in Sunday’s final would equal his 2011 record of 14 consecutive matches, while making him only the second player in history, after Cafu, to appear in three World Cup finals.