Messi rewrites FIFA World Cup history even without scoring a goal in semi-final against England

England looked set to reach the FIFA World Cup 2026 final until Lionel Messi turned the match on its head in the closing minutes. Argentina recovered from a goal down to beat England 2-1 in a dramatic FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final on Wednesday, with Messi producing two decisive assists that sent Argentina into a title clash against Spain.

Also Read: England tried to protect a late lead at World Cup but Messi and Argentina broke through to win

Messi breaks another FIFA World Cup record

Messi did not score for Argentina in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semi-final, but he still walked away having made history. The Argentina captain became the first footballer to register 10 assists in FIFA World Cup knockout matches, ANI reported citing OptaJoe's X account.


OptaJoe is the official X (formerly Twitter) account of Opta, a sports data and statistics company.

The two assists against England took Messi's overall tally to 12 FIFA World Cup assists, the highest by any player since records began in 1966. No other footballer has managed more than eight assists in FIFA World Cup history during that period.

Messi also collected the Player of the Match award after driving Argentina's remarkable late comeback in the FIFA World Cup 2026.

Also Read: Argentina's Lo Celso risks FIFA action over Falklands banner after semi-final win

England's dream slips away as Argentina fight back

England had every reason to believe they were heading for the FIFA World Cup 2026 final after Anthony Gordon put them ahead in the 55th minute. Gordon finished Morgan Rogers' cross to give England a 1-0 lead, while Argentina struggled to find a breakthrough for much of the contest.

Earlier, both sides had gone through a tense opening half with very few clear scoring opportunities.

As the clock ticked down, England manager Thomas Tuchel made tactical and personnel changes to protect the advantage and close the game out. But Argentina, inspired by Messi, refused to back down.

Messi creates both Argentina goals

Argentina's equaliser arrived in the 85th minute from a clever short-corner move. Messi received the ball from the corner before quickly laying it back to Enzo Fernandez, who controlled it on the edge of the penalty area before curling a superb effort beyond Jordan Pickford from outside the box to make it 1-1.

Then came the moment that sealed Argentina's place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final. Deep into stoppage time, Messi beat England defender Djed Spence on the right wing before delivering a cross over Pickford towards the far post. Lautaro Martinez arrived unmarked and headed into an empty net in the second minute of added time, completing Argentina's dramatic 2-1 victory.

The two assists ensured Messi became the first player to reach double figures for assists in FIFA World Cup knockout matches while extending his overall FIFA World Cup assist record.

FIFA World Cup 2026 Final: Argentina set up Spain showdown

The victory sends Argentina into the FIFA World Cup 2026 final, where Messi and his teammates will face Spain on July 19.

England's hopes of lifting the FIFA World Cup 2026 trophy ended with the defeat, and Thomas Tuchel's side will now take on France in the third-place play-off on Saturday.

For Messi, another FIFA World Cup 2026 night ended with another record. For Argentina, it ended with a place in the final. And for England, it was a painful reminder that even the narrowest lead is never safe when Messi is wearing an Argentina shirt.