Lionel Messi

Argentina's dramatic comeback win over England: What they said

Following the thrilling encounter, players and coaches from both sides reflected on the dramatic contest.
16 July 2026

Messi hails 'special' win over England

Messi said victory in the semifinal was "quite a special one, especially playing against England with all the historical context".
16 July 2026

The hurt goes on: England pay the price for playing not to lose

Atlanta was supposed to be the night England finally buried 60 years of hurt. Instead, it became another reminder that this country remains its own worst enemy.
16 July 2026

Chaos, comeback, classic: A semifinal that delivered

England were minutes from the final before Argentina turned the World Cup semifinal on its head in Atlanta today. Revisit the drama, emotion and defining moments in pictures.
16 July 2026

The beautiful game, the familiar political echoes

Argentina booked their place in the FIFA World Cup 2026 final after a dramatic 2-1 victory over England in a tense semifinal, but the post-match celebrations quickly extended beyond football as several players displayed a banner reaffirming the country's claim over the Falkland Islands.
16 July 2026

Messi, Argentina, World Cup final again: Records and highlights

Argentina staged yet another dramatic comeback at the FIFA World Cup 2026, defeating England 2-1 at Atlanta Stadium on Thursday to book their place in the final for the successive time.
16 July 2026

Resilient Argentina refuse to fall

Most teams that go on to achieve ultimate glory have one thing in common: resilience.
16 July 2026

'When we went ahead, the message was to get another goal': Kane rues England retreat

Captain Harry Kane insisted England's intention was never to sit back after taking the lead against Argentina, but admitted his side were overwhelmed by a relentless surge that turned a World Cup semifinal they seemed destined to win into another chapter of tournament heartbreak.
16 July 2026

De Paul dropped, James returns as Argentina, England name semifinal XI

England have made three changes to their starting side for the World Cup semifinal against Argentina on Wednesday, with manager Thomas Tuchel bringing Reece James and Djed Spence into the back four, while opposing coach Lionel Scaloni makes one switch.
15 July 2026

Messi, Bellingham and history collide in Argentina-England semifinal

From England's victory at the 1966 World Cup to the shadow cast by the 1982 Falklands War, from Diego Maradona's "Hand of God" goal in 1986 to major duels in 1998 and 2002, meetings between the countries have long felt larger than soccer.
15 July 2026

Nobody can stop Messi, says Hamza

Bangladesh star Hamza Choudhury backed Argentina to beat England in tonight’s 2026 FIFA World Cup semifinal, saying “the greatest footballer of all time” Lionel Messi’s presence could prove decisive in Atlanta.
15 July 2026

To Argentina haters: Calling it "scripted" won’t change reality!

Expose the fierce online backlash against Messi and Argentina as passionate haters brand their World Cup victories scripted, proving that legendary football greatness inevitably triggers endless conspiracy theories from jealous rivals who fear undeniable relevance.
15 July 2026

What 1990 World Cup teaches Messi's Argentina about modern resentment

For Messi and his squad, the lesson of 1990 is clear: when you are the champions, the world presents a treacherous road. Sometimes, they block the road entirely.
15 July 2026

Messi's lucky charm? Argentina star unbeaten with Elfath as referee

Elfath, an American citizen born in Morocco, will officiate the England-Argentina clash, with fellow Americans Corey Parker and Kyle Atkins serving as his assistant referees.
15 July 2026

Bellingham turns doubters into believers

Standing tall, chest puffed out, and arms outstretched, Jude Bellingham’s trademark celebration has become one of the defining images of England’s World Cup.
15 July 2026

VAR, Messi and World Cup's consistency crisis

The technology introduced to eliminate controversy has become the tournament's defining subplot, and Argentina, fairly or otherwise, have found themselves at its centre.
15 July 2026

Now or never in Atlanta

The bottom line is that both teams have repeatedly found a way to win even when the odds appeared stacked against them. Neither, however, has produced the convincing, dominant display expected of a potential champion.
15 July 2026

Mac Allister calls on Argentina to channel Maradona spirit in England World Cup clash

Argentina's Alexis Mac Allister has urged his team to take inspiration from Diego Maradona as they seek to get the better of England in their World Cup semifinal on Thursday.
15 July 2026

What being a Messi or Ronaldo fan says about you

A new study spanning 26 countries and more than 10,000 people, conducted by researchers at Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore, suggests there's a correlation between your political ideology, your media habits, and which of these two mega-stars you back.
14 July 2026

Why Argentina coach Scaloni cannot play safe against Tuchel’s England

Suffering remains an unavoidable, deeply embedded experience for this team; a tax Argentina always seems destined to pay before they can taste glory, or otherwise. The question is whether Scaloni can survive the next wave of it by standing still.
14 July 2026