Lionel Messi has etched his name into history once more, conjuring up a masterclass performance to propel Argentina into the World Cup final. In a game that had it all – drama, excitement, and a dash of genius – England's dreams were cruelly dashed as Messi orchestrated a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory.
The Three Lions took an unexpected lead through Anthony Gordon's 55th-minute strike, but Messi was not one to be underestimated. He burst into life on the right wing, leaving defenders in his wake with nine dazzling dribbles and two goals that will be etched in the memory for years to come. It's a feat unmatched in a World Cup knockout game since 1966 – and it's testament to the enduring magic of this footballing great.
The turning point arrived in the 85th minute, when Messi conjured up an assist from nowhere, delivering a pinpoint corner that found Enzo Fernandez who unleashed a thunderous equaliser from outside the box. The decisive moment came in injury time, as Messi picked out Lautaro Martinez with a perfectly weighted cross, and the Argentine striker headed home the winner to send the Albiceleste into raptures.
England captain Harry Kane was full of praise for Messi's individual brilliance, acknowledging that "when he has the ball, he can create something" – and no one knows it better than the Argentinian legend himself. Meanwhile, BBC pundit Micah Richards summed up the mood: "Lionel Messi is the 'GOAT' – the greatest of all time. This is why he's the king." Argentina boss Lionel Scaloni hailed his star man, saying simply: "He's the best player in history – I don't know what else he would have to do to prove that."
Messi's tournament statistics are nothing short of remarkable, with eight goals and four assists. He now sits alongside France's Kylian Mbappe as joint top scorer, with a strong chance of claiming the Golden Boot if he can add a few more strikes to his tally.
Next up for Argentina is a mouth-watering showdown against Spain in the World Cup final on Sunday, a match that holds special significance given Messi's long association with Spanish football at Barcelona. England will attempt to salvage some pride by taking on France in the third-place play-off on Saturday.