Argentina has reached the 2026 World Cup final through a series of dramatic knockout stage matches, often coming from behind in the latter stages of games or winning in extra time.
Path to the Final
Argentina's journey has been marked by resilience and comebacks. The team has not led going into the 90th minute in any of its knockout stage matches, securing two comeback wins and two extra-time victories. Their final opponent will be Spain. This matchup is significant as it marks the first time the top two ranked teams in FIFA's rankings, since their introduction in 1992, will meet in a World Cup final. It is also the first final between the reigning European and Copa América champions.
Group Stage Success
Argentina began their World Cup campaign with a decisive 3-0 victory over Algeria, powered by Lionel Messi's first career World Cup hat trick. Messi, at 38 years old, became the oldest player to record a World Cup hat trick, surpassing Cristiano Ronaldo's previous record. He also became the second player to score in five different World Cups and holds the record as Argentina's youngest and oldest goalscorer in the tournament.
Following this, Argentina secured their place in the knockout stage by defeating Austria 2-0, with Messi scoring twice to become the first player with 18 career World Cup goals. He also became the second player to score four or more goals in three different men's World Cups.
In their final group game against Jordan, with their progression already assured, Argentina fielded a mixed lineup. Giovani Lo Celso and Lautaro Martínez scored, and Messi added a free-kick goal, his sixth of the group stage. This game saw Argentina score two free kicks, tying them for the second-most since 1966. Messi's free-kick was his second direct free-kick goal in World Cup history. He extended his record for the most World Cup goals by any player to 19 and set a new record for scoring in seven consecutive World Cup games.
Knockout Stage Dramas
Round of 32: Argentina faced Cape Verde, a team ranked significantly lower, which pushed them to extra time. After Messi opened the scoring, Cape Verde equalized, forcing extra time. An own goal by Cape Verde ultimately sent Argentina through in a match that would have been one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history had Cape Verde advanced. This game extended Argentina's streak of scoring two or more goals in 10 straight World Cup games.
Round of 16: Trailing Egypt 2-0 entering the 79th minute, Argentina mounted a stunning comeback, scoring three goals in 13 minutes to win 3-2. Cristian Romero initiated the comeback with a goal assisted by Messi, who then scored the equalizer. Enzo Fernández scored the improbable winner in stoppage time. This marked the first time Argentina came back from a two-goal deficit in a World Cup match. Argentina's chances of winning in regulation were as low as 0.6% before their comeback began. Messi also became the first player to score in six consecutive knockout stage matches and the only player to register an assist in six different World Cups.
Quarterfinals: After Alexis Mac Allister's early goal, Switzerland equalized through Dan Ndoye. However, following a red card for Switzerland's Breel Embolo, Julián Alvarez scored in extra time, followed by a late goal from Lautaro Martínez to secure a 3-1 victory. This win brought Argentina to consecutive World Cup semifinals for the second time in their history.
Semifinals: Argentina once again found themselves trailing in the semifinals. With five minutes remaining in regulation, Messi assisted Enzo Fernández for the equalizer, and Lautaro Martínez scored the game-winner seven minutes later. In the 84th minute, Argentina's win probability was only 1.3% before Fernández scored. Argentina set a record for scoring eight goals after the 85th minute (including extra time) in a single World Cup edition.
This victory secured Argentina's seventh World Cup final appearance, tying Brazil for the second-most all-time. They became the first team since Brazil in 1998 to enter the World Cup ranked No. 1 and reach the final. Argentina has also set team records for consecutive wins (14) and unbeaten World Cup games (13), as well as winning seven straight World Cup matches for the first time. The team has scored at least two goals in all seven of their matches in this World Cup, extending their own record. Messi's involvement in goals, with two assists in the semifinal, extended his streak of scoring or assisting in 11 straight World Cup matches.