Argentina captain Lionel Messi celebrated a significant 2-1 semi-final victory over England in the 2026 World Cup at Atlanta Stadium. Despite falling behind to an Anthony Gordon goal, the 39-year-old icon inspired a late comeback. Messi assisted Enzo Fernandez for the equalizer in the 85th minute before providing the decisive cross for Lautaro Martinez to score the winning header.
Messi acknowledged the emotional weight of the fixture, citing the long-standing historical rivalry between the two nations related to the Falkland Islands. He praised his squad for their resilience, comparing this effort to their comeback victory against Egypt earlier in the tournament. Messi commended his teammates for their unity and competitive spirit.
Looking ahead, Argentina will face Spain in the final at MetLife Stadium this Sunday. Messi, who spent the majority of his professional career at Barcelona, expressed deep respect for the Spanish team, noting their skilled roster and well-defined tactical philosophy following their 2-0 win over France.
