Messi Sets Another World Cup Record as Argentina Edges England to Reach Final
Lionel Messi delivered two assists as Argentina beat England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal, setting new tournament records and sending the defending champions’
Argentina reached the World Cup final after a 2-1 semifinal win over England, with Lionel Messi playing a key role in both goals. The match took place at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta and shifted quickly after England took the lead.
Two assists lift Messi above all others
England scored first in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon converted a move to make it 1-0. Argentina responded later when Messi helped create the equaliser. In the build-up to the goal in the 85th minute, a short corner found Messi, who laid the ball back for Enzo Fernandez to score with a long-range strike.
After the game was level, Argentina completed the comeback in stoppage time. Messi created space on the right and then sent a cross to Lautaro Martinez, who headed home the winner. With two assists in the semifinal, Messi reached 12 goal contributions in the tournament.
Milestones and impact on the Golden Boot race
Messi’s 12 contributions place him ahead of Kylian Mbappe, leaving him only behind Just Fontaine’s long-standing World Cup mark of 13 set in 1958. The semifinal also took Messi’s total to eight goals for the tournament, along with four assists. Earlier stages of the competition also show his output: he scored against Algeria, Austria, Jordan, Cape Verde and Egypt, adding to his tally as Argentina progressed through each round.
The two England assists also tied Messi with Pele and Antoine Griezmann for the most assists in World Cup knockout matches over the past 60 years. The figures are also relevant to the Golden Boot race. Messi and Mbappe have eight goals each, but Messi’s additional assists give him an edge as assists are used as the first tiebreaker. Mbappe can still add goals in the third-place match against England after France lost 2-0 to Spain in the other semifinal.
Argentina will now face Spain in the final at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday. Argentina is aiming to win back-to-back titles, a feat last achieved by Brazil in 1958 and 1962. If Messi and Argentina deliver another strong performance in the final, it would add another major chapter to his record-setting World Cup run, including becoming the first player to appear in six World Cups and breaking multiple tournament marks.
