Lionel Messi Goes Viral for What He Did Immediately After Beating England
Newsweek · C · trust 44/100
0 Share Newsweek is a Trust Project member See more of our trusted coverage when you search. Prefer Newsweek on Google to see more of our trusted coverage when you search. Lionel Messi became the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer during the group stage of the 2026 FIFA men's World Cup. While the Argentine legend has scored two more goals in the knockout stage, Messi magic has mostly taken on the form of his assists.
Oh, yeah, he's also become the all-time leader in assists at this World Cup.
Argentina met England in the semifinal in Atlanta on Wednesday, July 15. England's Anthony Gordon put England up 1-0 in the 55th minute, but Argentina were unfazed. First, Messi set up Enzo Fernandez to rip the equalizer into the back of the net in the 85th minute, which was the appetizer for Messi's beautiful right-footed cross that Lautaro Martinez headed in for the winner in stoppage time.
Messi, who turned 39 on June 24, has eight goals and four assists — good for the Golden Boot lead — in seven matches at this World Cup. His all-time World Cup totals sit at 21 goals and 12 assists across a record six World Cup tournaments.
Messi first appeared in a World Cup final when Argentina fell 1-0 to Germany in 2014. His second World Cup final appearance is widely considered the best World Cup final ever played, as Argentina defeated France on penalties in 2022.
And now, La Albiceleste will vie to become the first repeat men's World Cup champion since Brazil did it in 1958 and 1962. Argentina will meet Spain in the 2026 World Cup final at MetLife Stadium on Sunday, July 19 — an opponent that hits home for Messi and Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni.
"I live in Spain," Scaloni told reporters post-match. "I have Spanish family. But Sunday, I'm sorry, we're going to try to beat them. But maximum respect, and I congratulate them because of not only how they play, but how they hold themselves. The truth is that it's going to be a beautiful game.
"Hopefully, the Spanish are happy that Argentina is in the final [because] of how much happiness Leo Messi has given that country."
Messi, of course, joined Barcelona's youth system in 2000 and starred for the senior team for 17 years before his departure for Paris Saint-Germain in 2021. He moved to Inter Miami CF of MLS in 2023 and is the reigning back-to-back MLS MVP, MLS Cup champion, and MLS Cup MVP.
Check out more clips of Messi and the Argentines celebrating England's demise below.
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