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The 2026 World Cup final takes place as Argentina looks to defend its title against Spain. But after four wild comebacks, what allowed Argentina to win their place in the championship? Their X factor, Lionel Messi.
Although Messi hasn’t scored since Argentina’s round of 16 win over Egypt, he still managed to score some of his match-winning goals that took them to the final, including two assists against England in the semi-final. For FOX Sports’ Stu Holden, he noticed that England’s real chance of victory disappeared when Messi continued to play a role.
“I think I said that in the 60th or 65th minute. I said, ‘Uh oh, watch out, England.’ [Messi is] “I was just camped on the right side of the field,” Holden said on The Herd. “And he’s just waiting for his opportunity to take part in this match. There wasn’t even a single thought in Messi’s or Argentina’s mind that this match was over. It would never be Messi’s last match.”
(Photo by Erick W. Rasco/Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
England’s first goal in the 55th minute kept them in the match. But with a second consecutive World Cup final within reach, Argentina scored twice in the 85th minute and in stoppage time to seal victory.
In addition to their victory against the Three Lions, Argentina’s road to the final saw four consecutive wins in stoppage time and extra time, including their 3–2 victory over Cape Verde in the round of 16 and their 2–0 last 16 comeback, which saw three goals in the final 11 minutes.
Although England’s opening goal convinced fans that a victory was in sight, the script was flipped when his style of play became defensive. Holden stressed that coach Thomas Tuchel’s strategy was never going to work, especially against the reigning champions and Messi.
“I think Thomas Tuchel was naive in thinking that they could do that, not only against the reigning world champions, but against the best player in the world, Lionel Messi,” Holden said. “And then I saw there were five behind, and I said, ‘Oh my God, we have 30 minutes left here, what do we do?’ If Argentina sees that your back door is a little bit open, they’re going to break down that door, and they’re going to come in, and that’s what they did. »
England’s ‘park the bus’ strategy proved effective against Mexico and Norway, but against the World Cup’s top scorer and assist, Messi and Argentina took full advantage.
Argentina is now competing for its second consecutive World Cup victory, having won only two in history (Brazil in 1958 and 1962, and Italy in 1934 and 1938). As they prepare to face Spain, who have conceded only one goal in this tournament, how can Argentina capitalize against star players in Marc Cucurella, Lamine Yamal and Mikel Oyarzabal? Messi.
“He passes the ball to the back post, or he beats you inside. It’s so difficult to defend,” Holden said of Messi. “There’s always been that
Argentina and Spain will face off for the World Cup title on Sunday at 3 p.m. ET at New York/New Jersey Stadium.
