Lionel Messi Leads Argentina on an Incredible Journey to the 2026 World Cup Final
Lionel Messi and Argentina are on the cusp of World Cup immortality, reaching the final against Spain after a series of epic performances. The defending champions have overcome numerous obstacles to get within a win of crowning one of the most memorable World Cup campaigns ever with back-to-back titles.
Argentina dominated Group J, winning all three games with a +7 goal difference, thanks in part to Messi's masterful form. He scored a hat-trick in the opening 3-0 win over Algeria and followed it up with a brace against Austria and a late goal against Jordan, becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer.
The team's first true test came in the Round of 32 against Cape Verde, which they passed with a 3-2 win in extra time, thanks to an 111th-minute own goal. Messi noted that "every game is going to be extremely difficult" in this World Cup.
Argentina faced another tough challenge in the Round of 16 against Egypt, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2, with Messi assisting on the equalizer and scoring the winner. They delivered more drama in the quarterfinals, needing extra time to beat Switzerland 3-1, with Julián Álvarez scoring a stunning 112th-minute goal.
In the semifinals, Argentina trailed England 1-0 with five minutes left but came back to win 2-1, with Messi assisting on the equalizer and providing the cross for the winning goal. Coach Lionel Scaloni called it "the best thing ever," surpassing their previous comeback against Egypt. Argentina will now face Spain in the final on Sunday.
Argentina dominated Group J, winning all three games with a +7 goal difference, thanks in part to Messi's masterful form. He scored a hat-trick in the opening 3-0 win over Algeria and followed it up with a brace against Austria and a late goal against Jordan, becoming the World Cup's all-time leading scorer.
The team's first true test came in the Round of 32 against Cape Verde, which they passed with a 3-2 win in extra time, thanks to an 111th-minute own goal. Messi noted that "every game is going to be extremely difficult" in this World Cup.
Argentina faced another tough challenge in the Round of 16 against Egypt, coming back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2, with Messi assisting on the equalizer and scoring the winner. They delivered more drama in the quarterfinals, needing extra time to beat Switzerland 3-1, with Julián Álvarez scoring a stunning 112th-minute goal.
In the semifinals, Argentina trailed England 1-0 with five minutes left but came back to win 2-1, with Messi assisting on the equalizer and providing the cross for the winning goal. Coach Lionel Scaloni called it "the best thing ever," surpassing their previous comeback against Egypt. Argentina will now face Spain in the final on Sunday.
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