Messi saves Argentina again! 'Storm of two assists' just before the final whistle... Defeats England, challenges for back-to-back World Cup titles

*This content was translated by AI.

The 'God of Football' Lionel Messi (Inter Miami·Argentina) has finally reached the final stage of his World Cup last dance. Messi led a dramatic comeback victory with a one-man show of two storm assists.

On the 16th (Korea time), Argentina secured a 2-1 comeback win against England in the 2026 FIFA North American World Cup semi-final held at Atlanta Stadium in Atlanta, USA, and advanced to the final.

With this result, Argentina has reached the final stage for two consecutive tournaments following their championship victory at the 2022 Qatar World Cup. In this tournament, they will challenge for back-to-back World Cup titles and a fourth overall championship.

Most importantly, Messi was given the opportunity to perfectly conclude his last World Cup. At the previous tournament's final in the 2022 Qatar World Cup, Messi defeated France and achieved his lifelong dream of winning his first World Cup title. Even in this tournament, which is considered his de facto last World Cup, he led Argentina to the final, bringing him within reach of a second career championship.

Only one match remains for Messi and Argentina. The opponent in the final will be Spain. In another semi-final held earlier, Spain defeated France and advanced to the final for the first time in 16 years. Spain, which reached the summit for the first and only time at the 2010 South Africa World Cup, also challenges for a second overall championship. The North American World Cup final between Argentina and Spain will be held on the 20th at New Jersey Stadium in New York, USA.

Argentina, led by coach Lionel Scaloni, deployed a 4-4-2 formation. Messi and Julian Alvarez (Atletico Madrid) started as the two strikers.

England, under coach Thomas Tuchel, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Harry Kane (Bayern Munich) stood at the front, while Anthony Gordon (Barcelona), Jude Bellingham (Real Madrid), and Morgan Rogers (Aston Villa) supported the attack from the second line.

Both teams engaged in a fierce mental battle from the early first half, signaling an intense contest. As a tense probing game continued, England gradually took control and created chances.

In the 33rd minute of the first half, Bellingham earned a free kick from a good position. In the ensuing set-piece situation, John Stones (Manchester City) attempted a header shot, but the ball went wide of the goalpost.

Four minutes later, players from both teams collided again, heightening the tension even further. Argentina also launched a counterattack. In the 38th minute of the first half, Enzo Fernandez (Chelsea) unleashed a threatening long-range shot, but the ball narrowly missed the goalpost, leaving him with regret.

Argentina also faced pressure due to consecutive yellow cards for its defenders. Lisandro Martinez (Manchester United) received a yellow card in the 42nd minute of the first half, and Christian Romero (Tottenham) was warned in the sixth minute of the second half. Both center-backs found themselves in a situation where aggressive defending became difficult.

England intensified its offense and finally reaped the rewards in the 10th minute of the second half. Gordon scored the opening goal. Rogers delivered an accurate cross from the right flank. Gordon evaded Nahuel Molina (Atletico Madrid) and connected with a shot that shook Argentina's net.

With their momentum building, England also showed focus in defense. In the 12th minute of the second half, full-back Jaden Spence (Tottenham) blocked Julian Simeone (Atletico Madrid)'s decisive shooting opportunity with an incredible sliding tackle.

After the mid-second half, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford (Everton) repeatedly frustrated Argentina. In the 24th minute of the second half, Pickford saved Nico Gonzalez (Juventus)'s sharp header with animalistic reflexes. In the 31st minute, he also blocked a header from Alexis Mac Allister (Liverpool), showcasing consecutive super saves.

But Argentina did not give up. At the center was Messi. In the 40th minute of the second half, Fernandez scored a dramatic equalizer. Messi set the stage with an assist. In a corner kick situation, Argentina did not immediately send in a cross but instead pierced the English defense with a short pass. Following this, Fernandez received Messi's pass and unleashed a powerful shot that shook England's net.

The 'God of Football' was not satisfied with just the equalizer. In the second minute of stoppage time in the second half, Messi created a go-ahead goal with an incredible assist. Although there was bad luck when Mac Allister's shot hit the post and rebounded, Argentina did not stop its attack. Messi, who regained possession, delivered a exquisite pass with his right foot instead of his familiar left foot. Lisandro Martinez (Inter Milan) did not miss the opportunity and finished it off to score a dramatic go-ahead goal.

Messi saved Argentina from the brink of defeat by scoring one goal and providing one assist in the final moments of the match. Ultimately, Argentina secured a 2-1 comeback victory over England and confirmed their advancement to the World Cup final. Messi's last dance now has only one match remaining. The 'God of Football' will challenge for his second individual championship and a magnificent finale: back-to-back World Cup titles for Argentina.

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*This content was translated by AI.