Defending champion Argentina has proved its mettle time and again in this World Cup. as it stays on course to win consecutive titles for the first time.
Lionel Messi, Argentina’s captain, has been the at the fore of his team’s success, scoring thrice in their opening match and is second in the Golden Boot race after Kylian Mbappe surpassed him in the third-place match against England.
In the summit clash, the Albiceleste face European champion Spain, which last its maiden title in 2010. Ahead of Spain vs Argentina, Sportstar looks at how Messi and Co. reached the final.
Group J topper -> beat Cape Verde in the round of 32 -> beat Egypt in the round of 16 -> beat Switzerland in the quarterfinal -> beat England in the semifinal
Lionel Messi scored a majestic hat-trick to equal the all-time World Cup scoring record, answering doubts about his influence at age 38 and firing up Argentina’s title defence with a 3-0 Group J win over Algeria.
He drew level with Germany’s Miroslav Klose with 16 goals in total and became the oldest player to score a World Cup hat-trick — exactly 20 years to the day since his first goal at the global tournament.
Messi netted his first in the 17th minute when he collected a brilliant through ball from Rodrigo De Paul before unleashing a rocket from about 25 yards out that glanced off the fingertips of goalkeeper Luca Zidane and into the top-right corner. He struck his second in the 60th minute before teeing up with Nico Gonzalez to complete his hatitrick 16 minutes later.
Messi rewrote the World Cup record books, becoming the tournament’s all-time leading scorer with both goals in Argentina’s 2-0 victory over Austria that secured the holders’ passage to the last 32.
Messi took his World Cup tally to 18 goals, despite an earlier stumble from the penalty spot, as Argentina secured their second win to move on to six points in Group J.
Thiago Almada was the architect of the opener when he drove towards the area, laying off possession to Facundo Medina on his left and, after Almada allowed the return pass to roll through his legs, an unmarked Messi calmly stroked home.
The second goal did eventually arrive through Messi mere moments before the final whistle.
Julian Alvarez’s initial attempt was saved by Schlager but the rebound was worked to Messi who, after seeing his first shot blocked, pounced to drive in a low strike from six yards out that confirmed the points.
Messi etched his name deeper into World Cup folklore, becoming the first to score in seven straight finals matches as a largely second-string Argentina beat Jordan 3-1.
Giovani Lo Celso opened the scoring against the already eliminated Jordanians in the 19th minute and Lautaro Martinez doubled the advantage from the penalty spot 12 minutes later. Mousa Altamari pulled one back for Jordan 10 minutes into the second half but Messi’s 80th-minute free kick saw him move past France’s Just Fontaine and Brazilian Jairzinho by scoring in a seventh World Cup finals match in a row.
Argentina advanced to the World Cup last 16 with a 3-2 extra-time victory over Cape Verde, but the reigning champion left the match with new doubts after being pushed to the brink by the tournament debutant.
Cape Verde twice came from behind and exposed vulnerabilities in the South American team before defender Cristian Romero’s header, diverted into the net by Cape Verde’s Diney Borges, finally settled the contest.
Messi inspired Argentina to a remarkable World Cup fightback as it came from two goals down to beat Egypt 3-2 in a dramatic last-16 game before sobbing tears of relief at the final whistle.
The holder was trailing 0-2 and 11 minutes from a shock defeat, but goals by Cristian Romero, Messi and two minutes into stoppage time, from Enzo Fernandez, kept it in the competition.
Alvarez and Lautaro scored deep in extra time to secure a dramatic 3-1 quarterfinal win over 10-man Switzerland. Messi’s Argentina side kept alive its bid to become the first team to retain the World Cup since Brazil in 1962 with a victory that sparked pandemonium among the sea of sky-blue-and-white supporters and ended Switzerland’s fairytale run.
Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez struck late to snatch a 2-1 win for Argentina over England to send Lionel Messi’s reigning champions into the weekend showpiece clash against Spain.
Just when England appeared set for victory after Anthony Gordon’s second-half goal, Argentina mounted a relentless late siege and got its reward as Fernandez levelled before Martinez completed the turnaround in the 92nd minute with Messi providing the pass for the equaliser and the cross for the winner.
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Published on Jul 19, 2026