NEWYou can now listen to PK Press Club articles!
At the 2026 World Cup, Lionel Messi and Argentina took control of the final minutes of the round of 16.
Wednesday’s rally against England in the World Cup semifinals — Argentina trailed 1-0 late before winning 2-1 — only added another entry to the long list of late-match drama for the defending champions, who will now face Spain in Sunday’s final.
Among them: a pair of rebounds from late deficits in the round of 16, coming back from 2-0 down to beat Egypt, then 1-0 down to beat England.
An analysis of Argentina which saves the best for the end of this World Cup:
June 22: Messi wins the group stage against Austria
— Minutes: 90+5
— Final: Argentina 2, Austria 0
During the second match of the group stage, the outcome was not necessarily in doubt. Argentina led 1-0 in second-half stoppage time, when Lionel Messi got his own rebound and blasted past three defenders for an insurance goal that sealed the victory.
June 27: Messi scores late again
— Minutes: 80th
— Final: Argentina 3, Jordan 1
Argentina led 2-1 in the group final and Lionel Messi – who had just entered the match as a substitute – won a free kick from around 25 yards out. He saw a gap in the wall of the Jordan defenders, sending in a low shot that skipped once and went into the back of the net for the clincher.
July 3: Messi sets Cape Verde own goal
— Minutes: 92nd, then 111th
— Final: Argentina 3, Cape Verde 2
The first match of the knockout stage was wild, with Argentina scoring two goals in overtime and needing both to hold off the Cinderella story that was Cape Verde. Lisandro Martínez scored in the 92nd minute to lead 2-1, and Messi served a perfect ball off a corner that became an own goal in the 111th minute – one that gave Argentina a 3-2 victory.
July 7: Three-goal rally against Egypt
— Minutes: 79th, 83rd, then 90+2
— Final: Argentina 3, Egypt 2
The champions looked finished in the round of 16, with Egypt leading 2-0 with 11 minutes left in second-half injury time. And then the comeback of the tournament happened, with Cristian Romero scoring in the 79th minute, Messi connecting four minutes later and Enzo Fernández scoring the winner two minutes into added time.
July 11: Two goals at the end of the match against Switzerland
— Minutes: 112th, then 120+1
— Final: Argentina 3, Switzerland 1
Switzerland was down to 10 men, but still sent its quarterfinal against Argentina into overtime. And ultimately, it was Argentina who made the breakthrough: Julian Alvarez scored the go-ahead goal in the 112th minute, then Lautaro Martinez scored in the dying moments as the champions advanced to the semi-finals with a 3-1 victory.
July 15: Messi leads Argentina to World Cup final with two assists
— Minutes: 85th, then 90+2
— Final: Argentina 2, England 1
Enzo Fernández scored in the 85th minute, Lautaro Martinez scored two minutes into added time and Messi assisted on both goals as Argentina recovered from a 1-0 deficit to beat England 2-1 and advance to the World Cup final. These goals gave Argentina a staggering 11 goals in the 79th minute or later in this tournament.
