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Messi's Assists Power Argentina Past England, Reach Final

7/16/2026

29 7 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

Argentina overturned England’s 2-1 semifinal lead with an 85th-minute equaliser and a stoppage-time winner at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 15, 2026.
Lionel Messi supplied the assists for both goals, extending his World Cup assist record in what is likely his final tournament.
Argentina will meet European champions Spain in the final.
England will play France for third place.

History

Historical Context

In the 1990 World Cup semifinal, West Germany erased England’s 1-0 half-time lead at Naples’s Stadio San Paolo before Lothar Matthäus equalised in the 71st minute; the 1-1 draw went to a penalty shoot-out, West Germany winning 4-3 before a 70,000 crowd. The match followed the tournament’s quadrennial tradition since 1930 and used the post-1986 shoot-out format that has decided several finals.

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Story summary

Argentina overturned England’s 2-1 semifinal lead with an 85th-minute equaliser and a stoppage-time winner at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium on July 15, 2026.
Lionel Messi supplied the assists for both goals, extending his World Cup assist record in what is likely his final tournament.
Argentina will meet European champions Spain in the final.
England will play France for third place.

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