On a truly frantic night, the Argentina national team secured their place in the 2026 World Cup final after beating England 2–1 in an unforgettable match.

The defending champions staged a last-gasp comeback from an extremely difficult situation, qualified for their second consecutive World Cup final and will now face Spain.

From the brink to ecstasy

Thomas Tuchel’s plan seemed perfect for the English. After a first half that was more contested than played, winger Anthony Gordon opened the scoring in the 55th minute following a precise counter-attack by the English side.

With their backs against the wall, and short on ideas, Argentina pushed forward and began to take control of the game, to such an extent that the opposing manager decided, surprisingly, to set up a wall of defenders.

The ‘Albiceleste’ came up against the defensive wall time and again, as well as some timely saves from Jordan Pickford, but finally, with just a few minutes remaining, they managed to turn the match around in epic fashion.

Argentina’s heroes

When the team as a whole fails to deliver, the individual brilliance of the chosen few often comes to the fore in big matches. And this has happened, once again, with captain Lionel Andrés Messi, none other than him.

With five minutes to go before the final whistle, the star rubbed the lamp and delivered a perfect ball for Enzo Fernández to unleash an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box, scoring the equaliser in the 85th minute.

But the reigning champions were not having any of it. In the 90th minute, the legendary ‘No. 10’ appeared once more to deliver a pinpoint cross that Lautaro Martínez met with a thunderous header.

The ball flew into the back of the English net to seal the 2–1 victory and send the Albiceleste into a frenzy. Argentina are through to yet another final.

Record for assists and goal contributions

With this brace of assists, Messi reached 33 goal contributions in 33 World Cup matches played. Yes, one direct contribution per match.

This statistic reaffirms two records that ‘La Pulga’ has set at this World Cup: being the all-time leading goalscorer and the all-time leading assist provider in World Cup history. Absolutely incredible.

What’s more, thanks to this victory over England, Messi joins the exclusive club of players who have reached three World Cup finals, alongside Cafú, Pelé, Ronaldo Nazário, Pierre Littbarski and Lothar Matthäus.

The final dance, with a confirmed date

Next Sunday, 19 July 2026, Lionel Messi’s Argentina will contest the grand final in New York against Spain, in what will be a truly dream match.

It will be the final chapter for the most successful player in the history of the ‘Ballon d'Or’, who is looking to bid farewell to the sport’s biggest stage by defending his World Cup crown.