Lionel Messi is one victory away from leading Argentina into previously uncharted territory after inspiring the defending champions to a dramatic 2-1 World Cup semi-final win over England.
Argentina trailed until the closing stages in Atlanta, but two interventions from their captain transformed the match. Messi helped create Enzo Fernández’s equaliser before delivering the cross from which Lautaro Martínez headed home the stoppage-time winner.
The result sends Argentina into a second consecutive World Cup final, where Lionel Scaloni’s side will face Spain on Sunday.
It also brings renewed attention to a debate that has shaped Argentine football for decades: whether Messi has now surpassed Diego Maradona as the country’s greatest sporting icon.
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England contain Messi before taking the lead
The semi-final began as a tense and physical contest, with neither team prepared to surrender control.
England’s midfield worked aggressively to close the spaces around Messi, preventing the 39-year-old from dictating the game during a first half short on clear opportunities.
The match also represented Messi’s first senior international appearance against England, a detail highlighted by FIFA before the semi-final.
England made the breakthrough in the 55th minute. Morgan Rogers created space on the right before delivering a cross towards Anthony Gordon, who escaped Nahuel Molina and finished beyond Emiliano Martínez.
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Thomas Tuchel’s side suddenly appeared on course to reach England’s first men’s World Cup final since 1966.
Their approach changed after the goal, however. England dropped deeper, surrendered possession and attempted to protect their narrow lead as Argentina began to apply sustained pressure.
Messi decides the match in seven minutes
England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford produced several important saves, while Alexis Mac Allister struck the woodwork as Argentina moved closer to an equaliser.
The pressure finally told in the 85th minute.
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After Argentina worked a short corner, Messi recovered possession and found Fernández outside the penalty area. The midfielder drove a powerful finish beyond Pickford to make it 1-1.
Argentina continued to attack rather than wait for extra time.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Messi collected the ball on the right and delivered a measured cross into the penalty area. Substitute Martínez rose above England’s defenders and powered a header into the net.
According to The Guardian’s match report from Atlanta, Argentina dominated the closing stages after England switched to a five-man defence in an attempt to preserve their advantage.
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Messi had been kept relatively quiet for much of the evening, but his involvement in both goals once again demonstrated his ability to determine the outcome of the biggest matches.
Argentina’s collective strength
Messi praised the mentality of his teammates after Argentina completed another comeback.
“It was fantastic. It is fantastic what this group has done, and it is something that shows our character,” he told FIFA’s channels.
“We play together, and we show our collective, which is our strength. We play a patient game, and it was really fantastic.
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“We have said it all tournament, and now we are in the final again for the second time in a row. Of course, I am really happy.”
Argentina have repeatedly recovered from difficult positions during the tournament, including dramatic knockout victories over Egypt and England.
Their resilience has allowed Messi to conserve his influence for decisive moments rather than carrying the entire attacking burden throughout every match.
As described by the Associated Press after the semi-final, Argentina’s progress has been built on the combination of Messi’s individual quality and a team that has repeatedly refused to accept defeat.
Bruun raises Maradona question
Messi’s performance has inevitably intensified comparisons with Maradona, who led Argentina to the World Cup title in 1986 and another final four years later.
Former Denmark international and TV 2 analyst Morten Bruun believes another triumph could change the balance of that historic debate.
“For years, Argentinians have referred back to everything Diego Maradona did for Argentina,” Bruun said, according to TV 2 Sport’s coverage of the semi-final.
“But right now, Lionel Messi is about to surpass Maradona. Imagine if Argentina wins the World Cup again.”
Maradona’s place in Argentine culture extends far beyond statistics. His two goals against England in the 1986 quarter-final, including the infamous “Hand of God” and the celebrated solo goal that followed, remain central to his mythology.
Messi has nevertheless built an international record Maradona could not match.
He captained Argentina to the 2022 World Cup, won the Copa América in 2021 and 2024 and has now led his country into consecutive global finals.
FIFA has described the connection between Maradona and Messi as a shared Argentine football story spanning four decades.
One final step remains
Argentina will face Spain at New York New Jersey Stadium on Sunday.
Victory would make them the first country since Brazil in 1962 to retain the men’s World Cup. It would also give Messi a second world title, moving him beyond Maradona in terms of trophies won as Argentina captain.
Whether that would settle the country’s most emotional football debate is less certain. Maradona’s cultural significance is unlikely to disappear regardless of Sunday’s result.
Messi, however, is now one match away from achieving something even Maradona never managed.
