Lionel Messi Leads Argentina to Semi-Finals in FIFA World Cup 2026
Messi Celebrates Quarter-Final Triumph
Argentina's captain, Lionel Messi, expressed his joy after the team's hard-fought victory against Switzerland in the FIFA World Cup 2026 quarter-finals. He commended the squad's determination as they secured their spot in the semi-finals.
Match Highlights
In a thrilling encounter held in Kansas City, Argentina triumphed 3-1 after extra time. The match began with a strong performance from Argentina, who took an early lead in the 10th minute thanks to Alexis Mac Allister, who skillfully redirected Messi's corner kick into the net.
Switzerland fought back in the second half, with Dan Ndoye equalizing in the 67th minute through a well-coordinated play with Ricardo Rodriguez. The dynamics shifted when Breel Embolo received a red card for a second yellow, yet Switzerland managed to hold on until extra time. In the 112th minute, Julian Alvarez scored a stunning goal from outside the box, followed by Lautaro Martinez securing the win with a late rebound.
Messi's Historic Contributions
Messi's influence was pivotal once again, as he assisted Mac Allister's goal, marking his 10th assist in World Cup history. This achievement further cements his record for the most assists in the tournament since 1966. Notably, he has provided assists to 10 different teammates, surpassing Diego Maradona's previous record of eight. Additionally, Messi has reached 10 goal contributions in this tournament, a feat he has now accomplished twice in World Cup history, alongside Kylian Mbappe.
Argentina's Knockout Success
With this victory, Argentina has advanced to the World Cup semi-finals for the third time in the last four tournaments, having previously reached this stage in 2014 and won the title in 2022. This win also marks their 11th victory in 13 World Cup matches that have gone into extra time, showcasing their strength in knockout rounds.
The defending champions are set to face England in the semi-finals, aiming to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to retain the World Cup title.