Messi’s Argentina Just Did Something Brazil Never Could in World Cup History

Lionel Messi did it again. And this time, he dragged Argentina past Brazil in the record books along the way.

Argentina beat England 2-1 in the semifinals on Wednesday, a comeback win that sent them to the World Cup final for the third time in the last four tournaments. But the bigger story might be what that win unlocked historically.

That victory gave Argentina their seventh World Cup final appearance, moving them past Brazil (six) and into sole possession of second place on the all-time list. Only Germany, with eight finals, sits ahead of them now.

Seven finals and counting

Argentina’s finals history is a split right down the middle. They’ve won three — 1978, 1986 and 2022 — and lost three — 1930, 1990 and 2014. The upcoming final against Spain gives them a chance to push that record to 4-3.

Spain, meanwhile, is making only their second final appearance ever. They beat France in the other semifinal to get here. That means England now joins a short list of nations stuck on one final appearance: Sweden (1958), Croatia (2018) and England themselves (1966, their lone win).

For a team that’s been knocking on the door repeatedly, that’s a tough stat to swallow.

Where everyone stands

Here’s how the all-time finals leaderboard looks now:

1. Germany — 8 finals (1954, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1986, 1990, 2002, 2014)
2. Argentina — 7 finals (1930, 1978, 1986, 1990, 2014, 2022, 2026)
3. Brazil — 6 finals (1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 1998, 2002)
3. Italy — 6 finals (1934, 1938, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006)
5. France — 4 finals (1998, 2006, 2018, 2022)
6. Netherlands — 3 finals (1974, 1978, 2010)

Brazil still holds the edge in titles with five, and Italy’s got four. But Argentina is creeping up in both categories. Another win and they’d be tied with Germany and Italy for second-most titles all time at four.

Messi’s legacy keeps getting thicker. He already has one World Cup ring from 2022. A second one would put him in a conversation that basically no one else is in — not Pele, not Maradona, not anyone. That’s what’s on the line against Spain.

The final kicks off Sunday. Argentina vs. Spain. History vs. history in the making.