Lionel Messi once again demonstrated his enduring brilliance on Wednesday, orchestrating a stunning late comeback for Argentina to secure a 2-1 victory over England in the World Cup semifinal. The win sends the defending champions to another final, where they will aim to retain their title.
With five minutes remaining in regulation time and trailing England 1-0, Argentina appeared to be running out of time. However, Messi, at 39 years old, defied expectations about aging in sports. He first set up the equalizer in the 85th minute, passing to Enzo Fernández, who unleashed a long-range shot past the goalkeeper. In stoppage time, Messi delivered a pinpoint cross to Lautaro Martínez for the game-winning header, completing the dramatic turnaround.
"We have the best player in the world setting the example for all of us," Martínez said after the match. England captain Harry Kane acknowledged Messi's impact, stating, "That's why he's one of the best players ever. In the end, it was too much for us to stop."
This latest performance adds to a tournament defined by Messi's late-game heroics. Argentina has relied on his ability to change matches, overcoming deficits against opponents like Cape Verde, Egypt, and Switzerland in previous rounds. Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni described the semifinal victory as "historic."
The semifinal match evoked memories of past intense rivalries between Argentina and England, notably the 1986 World Cup quarterfinal. This victory offers a different form of resolution, marked by Messi's individual brilliance.
Argentina's resilience has been a hallmark of their campaign. The team has shown an ability to absorb pressure and then mount relentless attacks, a strategy that eventually wore down England's defense after Anthony Gordon's opening goal in the 55th minute.
Messi expressed the team's deep connection with their supporters, stating, "From the moment we stepped onto the pitch and heard the national anthem we felt very special emotions. We knew that this victory wasn't an ordinary one. This was an important triumph that the Argentine people desired, and we desired it too, because it led us to another World Cup final. We never stopped believing or trying."
Now, Messi has the opportunity to conclude his illustrious career with a second consecutive World Cup title.