Argentina Edges England 2-1 in World Cup Semi-Final as Messi Shines
Lionel Messi inspires Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory over England in the 2026 World Cup semi-final, delivering a standout performance at Atlanta Stadium.
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Lionel Messi led Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory over England in the 2026 FIFA World Cup semi-final at Atlanta Stadium, Soccernet.ng reports. The 39-year-old delivered a masterclass performance, sparking his team’s rally to secure a place in the final.
Despite Messi’s brilliance, the performance fell short of surpassing Nigerian legend Jay-Jay Okocha’s long-standing football record, the outlet noted. Messi’s contribution was pivotal in overturning England’s early lead, as Argentina advanced through a determined team effort anchored by his vision and control.
Argentina had scored 17 goals en route to the semi-final, according to BBC Sport. The narrow win over England added two more to their tally, though the exact scorers were not detailed in available reports.
Messi described the victory as 'quite a special one, especially playing against England with all the historical context', Vanguard News reported. The win extends Argentina’s pursuit of World Cup glory, with Messi playing a central role in their campaign despite his age.
Argentina will face the winner of the second semi-final as they aim for their third World Cup title. The final will conclude the 2026 tournament, hosted jointly by the United States, Canada, and Mexico.