Lionel Messi inspired World Cup holders Argentina to a stunning comeback to beat England 2-1 on Wednesday and set up a final with European champions Spain, France 24 reports.
England had been on course to reach their first World Cup final since 1966 after Anthony Gordon fired them into the lead 10 minutes after half-time in the semi-final in front of 68,239 fans in Atlanta.
After taking the lead England retreated which invited wave after wave of attacks from Argentina which saw them eventually succumbing with less than 10 minutes left.
Messi set up Enzo Fernandez who lined up the ball before firing into the far corner to make it 1-1 in the 85th minute.
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Then in the 93rd minute Messi went past his marker on the left and sent in a superb cross which substitute Lautaro Martinez headed in from close range.
Messi now has 12 assists in FIFA World Cup matches, 10 of which have come in knockout rounds. No other player on record (from 1966) has more than eight in total at the finals.
The 2026 final between Spain and Argentina will be the first ever FIFA World Cup final between the reigning UEFA European champions, and the reigning CONMEBOL Copa America champions.





