Read 3 minutes16 Jul 2026 09:29 AM IST
For the first time in history, the reigning Copa America winners will face the defending European champions in the World Cup final. The prospect of a Spain v Argentina final was partially extinguished until Lionel Messi and Co. struck late on Wednesday night in Atlanta as England opened the scoring against the reigning world champions in the semi-finals.
Messi’s scintillating move brought Argentina back from the brink as Enzo Fernandez and Lautaro Martinez converted their captain’s assists to seal a dramatic 2-1 victory over the Three Lions. Entering a record-tying third final, Messi will face Spain for the first time in his World Cup career, a country that has produced his talents over the past two decades.
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Speaking after the win against England, Messi praised Spain’s unique style of football. The FC Barcelona legend also revealed that he is strictly following the Spanish, a system he has enjoyed for most of his club career.
“Spain is a great team with great players and a very specific style of play. It is a team that I know very well, with the football philosophy they have been following for many years. I also know their players,” Messi said.
After conceding just a solitary goal throughout the campaign, Spain reached their first final in 16 years, defeating high-flying France 2-0 in the first semi-final.
“I have faced many of them, and I still follow them. Many of them play for Barcelona, a club that I love and follow. So it will be a special match because it is a World Cup final and naturally I expect it to be a very equal game,” Messi told reporters after the win.
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Messi also reflected on Argentina’s impressive run since losing to Brazil in the Copa America in 2019 to a second successive World Cup final and a fifth-placed finish in all competitions.
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“It’s crazy what this group is doing: five finals. We’re coming off a World Cup, we’re the best team in the last four years and today we’re one of the two best teams in the world, another final. No matter how hurt or what people say, this group keeps proving that nobody gives you anything on the pitch,” he added.
With eight goals and four assists, Messi led the race for the Golden Ball heading into Sunday’s final at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. The 39-year-old revealed that his focus has been on the World Cup since last year.
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“I’ve been preparing for this World Cup for almost a year. I trained mornings and afternoons in Argentina in December, because I knew I was going to give everything to be in the best shape possible,” he added.