Lionel Messi v England: How Argentina superstar delivered 10-minute masterclass to steer reigning champions into another FIFA World Cup final

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Lionel Messi marked his first-ever game against England with a match-winning display as Argentina came from behind to reach back-to-back FIFA World Cup finals in a whirlwind, late show in Atlanta, Georgia.

Messi: It's crazy what this group has achieved

Video credit: SNTV

The South Americans inflicted World Cup misery on The Three Lions in a dramatic final 10 minutes as goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez cancelled out Anthony Gordon’s opener.

After taking the lead through Barcelona's new summer signing, Thomas Tuchel’s men retreated, but thought they could keep Argentina at bay with a dogged defensive display.

However, they made the fatal mistake of not considering that Messi was on the pitch and, despite his advancing years, he played a decisive role in an unforgettable finale to steer his side to victory in Atlanta and set up a showdown with Spain.

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Laying on the assists for both goals, Messi took his tally to four for the tournament, second only to Michael Olise’s five for France.

He is now on 12 goals and assists for the tournament, the second-most of any player at a single World Cup since assists began being recorded in 1966, as per Opta.

Year	Player	Goals+Assists	Goals	Assists
1958	Fontaine, Just*	13	13	-
1970	Muller, Gerd	13	10	3
2026	Messi, Lionel	12	8	4
1954	Kocsis, Sandor*	11	11	-
2026	Mbappe, Kylian	11	8	3
1966	Eusebio	10	9	1
1970	Pele	10	4	6
1986	Maradona, Diego	10	5	5
2022	Mbappe, Kylian	10	8	2
2022	Messi, Lionel	10	7	3

*Via Opta - assists not recorded prior to 1966 World Cup

Messi is also up to 12 World Cup assists in his career, more than any other player.

”I've never doubted,” he said after the game. ”And I knew that at the very least, we would be among the final four, and that this group, when they come together, brings out something special from where they don't have it, and the pain goes away, and they get in good physical shape, and they play like they did today and never stop trying.”

Things were not exactly easy; with England leading and the clock ticking, Argentina knew they needed something special.

Here is how those closing stages played out for Messi, having largely struggled during a tense and tight game.

76 min – Something of a warning shot for England as Messi drifts infield and plays his best pass of the night up until that point, floating a ball over the top of the England defence onto the head of Nico Gonzalez, who heads narrowly wide of Jordan Pickford’s goal.

78 min – Messi is easily dispossessed by Morgan Rogers, who launches a rare but ultimately unsuccessful England attack.

79 min – Under pressure from Kane, Messi misplaces a pass on the edge of the England box that kills a prospective Argentina attack.

Into the final 10…

83 min – With his side on the front foot and looking for inspiration, Messi receives the ball on the right, brings it back onto his left for a cross but sends it aimlessly wide of Pickford’s right-hand post.

The 39-year-old looks to the heavens, realising time is counting down on potentially his last World Cup match for his country… or so we were led to believe.

84 min – After Fernandez takes aim with a long-range effort that Pickford brilliantly tips over, Messi jogs across to take the resulting corner.

Despite Argentina showing their prowess in the air not long before with headers from Gonzalez and Alexis Mac Allister, their captain chooses not to send in a cross, but rather play a quick pass to Rodrigo De Paul on the edge of the England penalty area.

Messi’s Inter Miami team-mate returns the ball to him, prompting a run at Djed Spence, sending the England man backtracking into the box.

With all 11 Three Lions players now in the penalty area courtesy of this run, De Paul and Fernandez are left free just outside, allowing Messi to find the latter with a pass.

De Paul returns the ball to Messi in space (FIFA)

Image credit: From Official Website

...who then picks out an open Fernandez (FIFA)

Image credit: From Official Website

Despite Bellingham’s late attempt to close him down, the Chelsea man is free to take aim from distance once again, but this time Pickford is unable to reach it and Argentina are level.

87 min – Energised by the equaliser, Messi and Argentina smell blood. Out on the right flank once again, he takes the ball outside Nico O’Reilly to fire in a cross with his supposedly weaker right foot, which is headed clear by John Stones.

England might have been under the impression this was a one-off given Messi’s preference for cutting in on his left or attempting a dribble, but they would be sorely mistaken…

91 min – Despite all the England players camped in their own third, Mac Allister finds himself free on the edge of the penalty area to fire a shot at goal that comes back off the post.

Messi is quick to react but has the ball taken off his toes by Spence, who seems to overstretch and allows it to run free towards the touchline.

Messi collects the loose ball and heads back towards the area with both Spence and O’Reilly tasked with stopping him.

Both England defenders take the same decision to allow him onto that ‘weak’ right foot, with which he sends a pinpoint cross between Stones and Ezri Konsa for Lautaro Martinez to head his country into the lead.

Messi taking on Spence and O'Reilly (FIFA)

Image credit: From Official Website

...before crossing to Martinez (FIFA)

Image credit: From Official Website

98 min – As England press for an equaliser, Messi drops back into his own half, carries the ball forward and eventually wins a foul which helps run down the clock and frustrate his opponents further.

101 min – Full-time! Argentina have their captain to thank for sparking a remarkable late comeback and sending them to the final.

Messi was unsurprisingly awarded the Player of the Match, finishing the game with 96 touches in total, 43 successful passes and four chances created.

Messi heat map v England

Image credit: Opta

Messi touch map v England

Image credit: Opta

"It's crazy what this group has just achieved once again, reaching a World Cup final,” Messi told reporters after the game.

”We come from being world champions. We have been the best over the last four years.

”No matter who it hurts or what they say, today once again we place ourselves among the two best in the world, and that shows that everything we did is not by chance and that no one gave us anything.

”Reaching two world finals in a row is no small feat, and this group achieved it."

Argentina’s late fightback leaves them on the brink of becoming the first team to defend the World Cup since Brazil 64 years ago.

If they are to beat Spain, it is likely more Messi magic will be required, and after his heroics against England, it would take a brave person to bet against it.

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