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ATLANTA — When it mattered most, when his team’s World Cup survival was on the line — when extending his international career for one more game was on the line — Lionel Messi was definitely not walking.
He was in a full sprint, winning the ball. He was making the decisive pass with his right foot, a perfect delivery to Lautaro Martinez for the game-winning goal. He was jumping, pumping his fists and shouting, celebrating in the corner with his teammates.
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With two assists, Messi helped send Argentina to the World Cup final, coming from behind with goals in the 85th and 92nd minutes to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday.
It was yet another dramatic finish for Argentina, and the team’s second remarkable comeback in three games, after rallying from two goals down to beat Egypt in the Round of 16.
Argentina players celebrate as Enzo Fernández holds Lionel Messi on his shoulders 🇦🇷 pic.twitter.com/ioiyfjOaaX
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026For much of the game, especially in the first half, Argentina seemed more interested in fouling than football. Messi was essentially a non-factor. At one point, he tried to blast a shot through a wall of players, trying to force something, anything to happen.
As England sat back to defend in final minutes of the game, Argentina’s chances started to build. With what we’ve seen in this World Cup, perhaps it was inevitable.
“For large parts of the game, we dealt with him really well,” Harry Kane said after the game. “But as always with the most dangerous players in the world, when they have the ball in the final third, they can create something. And he did that again today. He’s obviously one of the best players in the world for a reason.”
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How Lionel Messi’s assists stunned England
Assist No. 1: The first assist started innocently enough, as Messi played a corner on the ground to Rodrigo De Paul, who was about 10 yards outside the penalty box. De Paul passed back to Messi, who then started dribbling toward the box, taking on two players. With all attention on Messi, he passed to Enzo Fernandez, who was all alone outside the top of the box, and blasted a shot clear of Jordan Pickford.
A BEAUTY FROM OUTSIDE THE BOX FOR ENZO FERNÁNDEZ TO MAKE THIS MATCH 1-1 🔥 pic.twitter.com/2XPjvndbwS
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026Assist No. 2: Messi chased down an Alexis Mac Allister shot that had hit the left post and ricocheted out to the right side, winning the ball from Djed Spence, who had contained Messi and Argentina for most of the game. He gathered the ball, and awaited the double team to come. He cut to his right toward the end line and sent that cross with his right foot, not the magical left, perfectly served to Martinez, who delivered a header into the back of the goal.
— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026Messi took off to the corner, immediately mobbed by his teammates, who witnessed more history with Argentina’s run.
A run that includes a 111th minute goal against Cape Verde in the Round of 32. The comeback against Egypt in the Round of 16. A goal in the 112th minute in the quarterfinals to take the lead against Switzerland.
And of course, the comeback against England.
After the game, England’s Dan Burns echoed Kane’s thoughts. For much of the match, they had Messi contained. Until they didn’t.
“For the majority, I thought we did pretty well, but that shows you the quality of player he is, where you can keep him quiet and he still pops up with two assists,” Burns said.
Messi now has eight goals and four assists this World Cup. He has 21 goals and 12 assists for his career, both all-time records.
What will he have in store for his final chapter against Spain in the final? Even if Argentina looks lifeless, even if the team trails late, don’t stop watching. In this World Cup, it seems you can count on late Messi magic.
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