Lionel Messi Celebrates Argentina's Thrilling Victory Over England in World Cup Semifinal

In a thrilling FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal, Argentina, led by captain Lionel Messi, staged a dramatic comeback to defeat England 2-1. Messi celebrated the victory on social media, expressing gratitude to fans and highlighting the team's resilience. Argentina's win secures their place in the final against Spain, while England's hopes for a World Cup title since 1966 come to an end. The match featured key moments, including a late equalizer from Enzo Fernandez and a winning header from Lautaro Martinez. Read on for a detailed account of this exciting match.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 16, 2026, 07:17 IST

Messi's Joyful Announcement

Lionel Messi, the captain of Argentina, expressed his excitement on social media following his team's remarkable 2-1 victory against England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal held in Atlanta on Wednesday (local time). In an Instagram post, Messi highlighted Argentina's journey to the World Cup final, commending the team's determination and performance while also thanking fans for their unwavering support. He wrote, "WE'RE IN THE FINAL!!!!! We dug deep once again to put in another great performance. A huge thank you to everyone who believed in this group!!! Let's go Argentina!!!!"

Argentina Advances to the Final

This victory propels Argentina into the World Cup 2026 final, where they will compete against Spain on Sunday, July 19 (local time). Meanwhile, England's aspirations for their first World Cup final since 1966 were dashed.

Dramatic Comeback Seals Final Berth

The match showcased a thrilling comeback by the defending champions. The first half was a closely fought contest, with both teams vying for midfield dominance and limited scoring opportunities. England took the lead in the 55th minute when Anthony Gordon capitalized on a cross from Morgan Rogers.

Following their goal, England adopted a more defensive stance, allowing Argentina to apply pressure. The defending champions responded with vigor, with Jordan Pickford making crucial saves and Alexis Mac Allister hitting the post before Argentina equalized. In the 85th minute, Enzo Fernandez scored after receiving a pass from Lionel Messi.

Argentina completed their comeback in stoppage time when Messi assisted Lautaro Martinez, who headed in the decisive goal. Despite England's late attempts, Argentina secured their place in the final.

England will now face France in the third-place playoff, while Argentina prepares to meet Spain for the championship.