Following a narrow 2-1 win against England at Atlanta Stadium on July 15, 2026, Lionel Messi dedicated the triumph to the late Diego Maradona. The victory propelled Argentina into their second consecutive World Cup final, where they are set to meet Spain.
Messi, who provided the assists for both of Argentina’s goals, described the win as a tribute to Maradona. He expressed that the football icon would likely be pleased with the performance and the continued success of the national team he cherished. This match held particular weight due to the historic rivalry between the two nations, which remains tied to Maradona’s legendary performance in the 1986 tournament.
The game saw Argentina overcome an early lead from England’s Anthony Gordon. Enzo Fernandez leveled the score before Lautaro Martinez secured the victory with a header in stoppage time. This win elevated Messi’s tournament record to 21 goals and 13 assists, solidifying his status as the leader in both categories.
Reflecting on the atmosphere, the 39-year-old captain noted the palpable intensity and the importance of the win for his supporters. Looking toward the final, Messi acknowledged that Spain represents a formidable opponent with high-quality talent, expecting a highly competitive match for the title.
