Messi's magic sends Argentina into another World Cup final

Lionel Messi produced another masterclass to send Argentina into the World Cup final, with two assists helping them come from behind to beat England 2-1. At 39, he is still deciding the biggest matches, and this performance showed why many still call him the best ever.

England led through Anthony Gordon’s 55th-minute goal, but once they sat deeper and allowed Argentina time on the ball, Messi took control. He drifted wide, found space, and repeatedly picked apart England’s defence as Argentina surged forward with confidence and purpose.

The key turning point came after England lost control of the game. Argentina had 88% possession in the 37 minutes after Gordon’s opener, and Messi’s influence became overwhelming. He created both goals: first setting up Enzo Fernandez for the equaliser, then crossing for Lautaro Martinez to head in the winner in stoppage time.

His overall numbers were extraordinary. Messi completed nine dribbles, created four chances and put in nine crosses, while the entire England team managed only seven successful dribbles combined. He also had seven touches in the opposition box, matching England’s total, which underlined just how central he was to everything Argentina did in the closing stages.

This tournament has also pushed Messi higher up the record books. He is now the all-time leading World Cup scorer with 21 goals, and he has eight at this edition alone. With four assists as well, he has the chance to finish as both the top scorer and top creator of the tournament.

What makes this run even more remarkable is how late it has come in his career. Messi has reinvented himself several times, and he is now doing much of his work by conserving energy before exploding into matches when the moment arrives. That tactical maturity, combined with his technique, still makes him almost impossible to contain once he starts dictating play.

Argentina now face Spain in Sunday’s final, which adds another layer to the story because Messi spent most of his club career in Spain with Barcelona. For Lionel Scaloni, this is already confirmation that Messi remains the defining player of his era. For everyone else, it is another reminder that he is still capable of turning a World Cup on its head.

Whether this final is truly his last World Cup match is still unknown. But after yet another deciding performance, it would be unwise to make too many assumptions about what Messi will do next.