Lionel Messi hit the turf before the final whistle even stopped echoing. Argentina had just beaten England 2-1 in the World Cup semifinal on Wednesday, and the GOAT was on his knees, fist pumping the grass like he’d just seen the whole thing flash before his eyes.
It was that kind of game.
England had Argentina pinned for most of the second half. The score was locked at 1-1. Then the 85th minute happened. A quick restart, a ball slipped through the England backline, and just like that Argentina had the lead. Then stoppage time. Then another goal, this one in the second minute of added time. Game over.
Messi didn’t score in this one, but he didn’t need to. He set up both goals with the kind of passes that make defenders look like they’re moving in slow motion. Two assists. One ticket to the Final.
The reaction said everything
Video from FOX Sports showed Messi collapsing to his knees as the whistle blew. The rest of the Argentina bench flooded the field, and they piled on him before he could even get up. He stayed there for a second, head down, then finally let the trainers pull him upright. There were hugs everywhere. Julian Alvarez grabbed him. The coaching staff mobbed him.
It’s hard not to think back to 2022. Messi lifted that World Cup trophy in Qatar after beating France on penalties. Now he’s one win away from doing it again. Argentina will face Spain in the Final. Spain, who has looked almost unbeatable this tournament. That’s the matchup everyone wanted, honestly.
What this means for the Final
Argentina isn’t just riding Messi’s legacy anymore. This team has young legs. Enzo Fernandez is running midfield. Alvarez is making runs that pull defenses apart. Messi can sit a little deeper now, pick his spots, and let the younger guys do the sprinting. Against Spain, that might be the difference.
Spain has its own star power. Pedri and Gavi control the tempo. Morata is finishing chances. But Argentina just beat England, who had been the tournament’s best defensive side. That says something.
Messi didn’t say much after the game, at least not publicly. He just walked off the field, waved to the crowd, and let the moment settle. He’s 38 years old. He’s been to five World Cups. He’s won one. Now he’s going for a second. And based on the way he dropped to his knees Wednesday night, it still means everything to him.
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