Lionel Messi was impressed with his teammates as defending champions Argentina defeated England to reach the 2026 FIFA World Cup final. The Argentina skipper didn't add to his goal tally, but ended up assisting twice for two late goals as the South Americans clinched a 2-1 victory.
Lionel Messi assisted twice for Argentina. (REUTERS)
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Initially, England assumed that they were going through to the final after taking the lead in the 55th minute through Anthony Gordon. But Argentina didn't give up and kept on pressing for an equaliser.
In the 85th minute, with England hanging on, Messi took a short corner and then got the ball. He saw Enzo Fernandez lurking outside the opposition box and sent the ball to him. The midfielder curled in a screamer past goalkeeper Jordan Pickford to level proceedings.
Two minutes into stoppage time, Messi sent a cross into the area at the back post. Lautaro Martinez rose the highest, heading it with ease for the winner as Argentina clinched a dramatic victory.
‘I knew this group always competes’: Lionel Messi
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Speaking after the match to TYC Sports, Messi said, "It hurts whoever it hurts and say whatever they want, we proved once again on the pitch that nobody gives us anything."
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Speaking after the match to TYC Sports, Messi said, "It hurts whoever it hurts and say whatever they want, we proved once again on the pitch that nobody gives us anything."
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"We came in under fire, with a lot of doubts, but I knew this group always competes. I was sure we would be among the final four and, thank God, we made it into the top two."
The Argentine team has also been criticised by fans and former players, mainly due to questionable referee decisions taken during their matches in this World Cup.
Responding to critics, he said, "If we had lost against England, people would have come out and talked some nonsense about us, but we didn't give them the chance. We were lucky to win, to get through this, with everything this match means."
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"We knew that in football we were better than them, but a lot comes into play when you play a match of this magnitude, with historical baggage involved. Still, it's special because of everything it means, and we had to win it," he added.
Messi remains on top of the Golden Boot race with Kylian Mbappe (8 goals each). But with his two assists in the semi-final, he moved ahead of Mbappe in the race, as it's the first tiebreaker for the award.
After the match, England captain Harry Kane had special praise for Messi. "Leo is still performing at the highest level," he said.
"I felt like for large parts of the game, we dealt with him really well. But as always with the most dangerous players in the world, when they have the ball in the final third, they can be place-setters. And he did that again today. He's obviously one of the best players ever for a reason," he added.
Neelav Chakravarti has been part of the digital sports team at Hindustan Times since 2022, where he covers a wide range of disciplines, including chess, cricket, football, and Olympic sports. Working in a fast-paced digital newsroom, he regularly handles live blogs, breaking updates, and trending stories, combining speed with clarity to keep readers informed in real time. Chess remains both a professional beat and a personal passion for Neelav, and he closely tracks major international tournaments, player narratives, and emerging talents. He is particularly fascinated by the patience, calculation, and strategic depth the game demands, often exploring the psychological side of competition in his writing. Beyond sports journalism, Neelav has a deep interest in visual storytelling and filmmaking, actively participating in film festivals and engaging with independent cinema. He is especially drawn to films that capture the subtleties of everyday life and human relationships, appreciating storytelling that balances realism with emotional depth. This creative interest complements his approach to sports coverage, where he enjoys highlighting the human stories behind performances and results.
A history enthusiast by academic training, Neelav holds a bachelor’s degree in the subject and maintains a sustained interest in ancient and medieval Indian history, particularly in cultural and social transitions across eras. His curiosity about the past often shapes his perspective on contemporary narratives and long-form storytelling. When he isn’t tracking scores or developing storylines, Neelav enjoys spending time over the chessboard, relaxing with his cats, or listening to the Empire podcast by Anita Anand and William Dalrymple. He also enjoys reading long-form sports writing that explores the emotional and cultural layers of sport, while maintaining a quiet routine that balances reading, reflection, and occasional time with friends.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Stay updated with the latest sports news, including latest headlines and updates from the Durand Cup Final Live. Catch all the action from tennis Grand Slam tournaments, follow your favourite football teams and players with the latest match results, and get the latest on international hockey tournaments and series.
Home/Sports/Football/Lionel Messi fires back at critics after Argentina's dramatic win over England: 'People would've talked nonsense'
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