Also known as: Argentina star Lionel Messi · the Argentine star · Argentina's superstar Lionel Messi · Messis · Argentina's miracle man · Argentina skipper Messi · Argentine star
Argentine forward, 39, scoring eight goals in the 2026 World Cup and helping Argentina reach the final against Spain.
Verbatim sentences from the source article.
The Standard
… The result means the two teams both finish Group J on four points behind Lionel Messi's Argentina, who topped the section with nine points.Austria are in the World Cup knockout round for the first time since 1982 while Algeria have matched their performance at the 2014 World Cup …
Austria and Algeria reach World Cup knockouts after 3-3 thrillerThe Standard
Audio By VocalizeLionel Messi came off the bench to score his sixth goal of the tournament as Argentina warmed up for their World Cup knockout tie with Cape Verde by beating Jordan 3-1 on Saturday. …
Messi scores again as Argentina head into World Cup last 32 on a highThe Standard
… Lionel Messi meanwhile scored his sixth goal of the tournament -- and 19th in all World Cups -- as reigning champions Argentina beat Jordan 3-1 to make it three groups wins out of three. …
Co-hosts Canada and South Africa in historic World Cup knockout clashThe Standard
… Just Fontaine scored two during his incredible 1958 tournament, including four goals in the third-place play-off against West Germany.Kylian Mbappe then netted an astonishing hat-trick in the 2022 final, which France lost on penalties to Lionel Messi's Argentina in Qatar. …
Hat-trick hero Dembele displays Ballon d'Or brilliance for France at World CupThe Standard
… Unbeaten in their three group matches, the archipelago nation of just over 500,000 will play Lionel Messi's Argentina in Miami on July 3 in another chapter to their remarkable story.Spain, held 0-0 by Cape Verde in the first round of games, finished with seven points, with the de …
Cape Verde extend World Cup fairytale to set up Argentina meetingThe Standard
… The European champions will instead face Austria or Algeria next in Los Angeles on Thursday.Uruguay's defeat allowed debutants Cape Verde to secure second place and a meeting with Lionel Messi and the defending champions thanks to a 0-0 draw against Saudi Arabia. …
Uruguay crash out of World Cup as Spain avoid Argentina clashCitizen Digital
… Real Madrid star Mbappe and Manchester City striker Haaland have started the tournament in blistering form, neck-and-neck on four goals apiece in the race for the Golden Boot, just behind leader Lionel Messi on five. …
Mbappe v Haaland as France face Norway in World Cup group deciderCitizen Digital
… He is level with France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland in the golden boot race, with that trio all one behind Lionel Messi. …
Ancelotti hails Vinicius as Brazil march on at World CupThe Standard
… He is level with France's Kylian Mbappe and Norway's Erling Haaland in the golden boot race, with that trio all one behind Lionel Messi.He is the first Brazilian to score in all three group matches at a World Cup since Ronaldo and Rivaldo both achieved the feat in 2002. …
Ancelotti hails Vinicius as Brazil march on at World CupCitizen Digital
… The overall record has already been broken by Argentine superstar Lionel Messi, who now has 18 goals over six World Cups after adding five in two games in the United States. …
Golden Boot battle steals the show at World CupSpain and Argentina will face off in the 2026 World Cup final at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026. Argentina seeks to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain pursue a second title after winning in 2010; it is likely Lionel Messi's final World Cup appearance.
15 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
Spain and Argentina will face off in the 2026 World Cup final at New York/New Jersey Stadium on July 19, 2026. Argentina seeks to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while Spain pursue a second title after winning in 2010; it is likely Lionel Messi's final World Cup appearance.
15 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
Lamine Yamal, who turned 19 the day before Spain beat France 2-0 in the semi-final, aims to join an elite group of teenage World Cup winners. The 2026 final will see Argentina's Lionel Messi, who will become the oldest outfield player to appear in a World Cup final, face Spain's young forward.
16 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
England defeated France 6-4 in the 2026 World Cup third-place match in Miami on Saturday, with Kylian Mbappe scoring his 22nd goal of the tournament to become the all-time leading scorer. Argentina and Spain advance to the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday.
22 hours ago · Citizen Digital →
Argentina and Spain are making final preparations for Sunday's World Cup final in New Jersey, with Argentina seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, and Spain trying to win a second title after winning in 2010. The final will be attended by more than 80,000 spectators at MetLife Stadium, including US President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.
18 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Residents of Barcelona's working-class Rocafonda neighbourhood, where Spain forward Lamine Yamal grew up, look ahead with pride to Sunday's World Cup final against Lionel Messi's Argentina. Yamal's admiration for Messi and a viral photograph of them together have captured imaginations ahead of the match in New Jersey.
18 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France will play England in the 2026 World Cup third-place playoff on Saturday in Miami, the final match for departing coach Didier Deschamps, after France's semi-final loss to Spain. Deschamps says the team has a duty to deliver a bronze medal, though the French are unhappy about the playoff match.
18 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina and Spain will face each other in the World Cup final in New Jersey on Sunday, a match that pits Argentina's attacking style and Lionel Messi against Spain's controlled, methodical approach. The match carries personal storylines, including Messi facing teenager Lamine Yamal, both connected to Barcelona's La Masia academy.
18 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Nearly two decades before their FIFA World Cup final meeting, Lionel Messi photographed an infant Lamine Yamal during a UNICEF charity campaign at Barcelona's Camp Nou in 2007. Families entered a raffle for the chance to have their babies photographed with Barcelona players for the 2008 charity calendar.
18 July 2026 · The Standard →
Spanish midfielder Mikel Merino said Friday that neutralising Lionel Messi will be a "huge challenge" as Spain prepare for Sunday's World Cup final against Argentina. Messi, 39, has been instrumental for the defending champions, scoring eight goals in the tournament and providing two assists in Argentina's 2-1 semi-final victory over England.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina advanced to the 2026 World Cup final against Spain after beating England 2-1 in the semi-final, with coach Lionel Scaloni and observers crediting the team's ability to perform well under pressure. The South American nation is pursuing a second consecutive World Cup title.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina's players and coaches say the team performs best when facing adversity, a trait evident in their comeback victories through the knockout stages of the 2026 World Cup tournament.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France and England will play for third place in the 2026 World Cup in Miami on July 18, 2026, after losing their semi-finals—France to Spain 2-0 and England to Argentina 2-1.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
France and England meet in the World Cup third-place play-off in Miami on July 18, 2026, after both lost their semi-finals: France fell 2-0 to Spain and England lost 2-1 to Argentina.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
England's head coach Thomas Tuchel faced heavy criticism for defensive substitutions after a 2-1 semi-final loss to Argentina in Atlanta, with late goals from Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez overturning Anthony Gordon's opening goal. Tuchel is now looking ahead to a home Euros in 2028, but questions remain over whether he will need to rebuild trust with his players.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
England lost 2-1 to Argentina in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday, with Thomas Tuchel criticized for defensive substitutions that allowed Argentina to take control. Tuchel is looking ahead to a home Euros in 2028.
17 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni praised his team's comeback mentality after they defeated England 2-1 in the World Cup semi-final in Atlanta on Wednesday, advancing to the final. Scaloni noted that Argentina sensed vulnerability when England sat back after taking a 1-0 lead, and the team created multiple chances to overturn the deficit.
16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a 2-1 semi-final victory over England at the 2026 World Cup in Atlanta, setting up goals for Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez after England took an early lead through Anthony Gordon. The 39-year-old Messi said the fixture remained special despite his record-breaking career.
16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Argentina's Lautaro Martinez scored the winning goal in the 2026 World Cup semifinal against England, with the reigning champions winning 2-1 after Martinez came off the bench in the 81st minute. Martinez said he had "dreamt" of scoring the goal, which came in the second minute of injury time after Lionel Messi set up Enzo Fernandez to equalize.
16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi inspired Argentina to a 2-1 comeback victory over England in a World Cup semi-final, with Enzo Fernandez equalizing in the 85th minute and Lautaro Martinez scoring the winner in stoppage time. Argentina will face European champions Spain in the final.
16 July 2026 · The Standard →
France and England will compete in the World Cup third-place play-off on Saturday in Miami, after both suffered semi-final defeats—France losing 2-0 to Spain and England losing 2-1 to Argentina. England manager Thomas Tuchel said neither team's players wanted to play the match, preferring to have reached the final.
16 July 2026 · The Standard →
England's forward Harry Kane expressed disappointment after his team lost 2-1 to defending champions Argentina in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Lionel Messi set up two goals — an assist to Enzo Fernandez and a cross for Lautaro Martinez's winner in stoppage time — after Anthony Gordon had briefly put England ahead.
16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi engineered a comeback for Argentina in their World Cup semi-final against England on Wednesday, securing a 2-1 victory to keep the defending champions on track for back-to-back titles. Argentina will face Spain in the final in New Jersey on Sunday.
16 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
The R&A has no plans to alter the schedule for Sunday's final round of the 154th British Open at Royal Birkdale, aiming to finish by 1740 GMT to allow time before England's World Cup final at 1900 GMT in East Rutherford, New Jersey, though no final decision will be made until England's semi-final against Argentina concludes.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi's Argentina will meet England in a 2026 World Cup semi-final on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium, with Spain advancing to the final after eliminating France. Argentina is seeking to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Harry Kane said England will not be distracted by the historical tensions and incidents surrounding their World Cup semi-final against Argentina on Wednesday, which is set against a lingering sovereignty dispute over the Falkland Islands.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
England will meet Argentina in the 2026 World Cup semi-finals on Wednesday at Atlanta Stadium, renewing a rivalry stretching back to their first meeting in 1962. The article traces their historical World Cup encounters.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →
Lionel Messi's Argentina will play England in a World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with European champions Spain awaiting the winner. Argentina, three-time champions, seek to become the first team since Brazil in 1962 to win back-to-back World Cups, while England aim for their biggest match since winning their sole World Cup in 1966.
15 July 2026 · The Standard →
With France, Spain, England and Argentina—the four highest-ranked sides—as the last teams standing in the World Cup, an African observer reflects that Morocco's exit marks the continent's failure to bridge the gap between African talent and global excellence, and that African teams must develop sustainable depth rather than relying on flashes of brilliance.
15 July 2026 · The Standard →
Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said he was not concerned about fatigue or his team's performances as they prepare to face England in the World Cup semi-final on Wednesday, with the holders seeking to reach consecutive finals.
15 July 2026 · The Standard →
Spain defeated France 2-0 in the World Cup semi-final on July 14, 2026, with goals from Mikel Oyarzabal (penalty) and Pedro Porro, progressing to face either England or Argentina in the final.
15 July 2026 · Citizen Digital →