Lionel Messi didn’t add to his tournament-leading goal total, but the 39-year-old assisted on two late strikes that carried Argentina to another stunning comeback and a 2-1 victory over England in the semifinals Wednesday.
Messi set up Enzo Fernandez to fire in an 85th-minute equaliser and then, with extra time looming, crossed for substitute Lautaro Martinez to head in the winner in the second minute of stoppage time.
Defending champion Argentina will now face Spain in the final at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey on Sunday.
This is set to be Messi’s second straight appearance in the FIFA World Cup final, and third overall. The 39-year-old’s first World Cup final came in 2014, when Argentina lost 0-1 to Germany.
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Only one player has previously played in three World Cup finals – legendary Brazilian wing-back Cafu, who played in 1994, 1998 and 2002 summit clashes, winning the first and third.
If Argentina is to beat Spain, it will become the third team to defend its World Cup title, after Italy (1934 and 1938) and Brazil (1958 and 1962).
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Published on Jul 16, 2026