Every champion’s run has a heartbeat. Argentina’s in 2026 has been a defibrillator — shock after shock, comeback after comeback, with a 39-year-old Lionel Messi somehow always at the centre of it.
Round of 16 & quarterfinal: living dangerously
Argentina stormed back from behind to beat Egypt 3–2, then needed extra time to see off a stubborn Switzerland 3–1, Julián Álvarez striking in the 117th minute and Lautaro Martínez adding a late third. Twice they looked like they might go out; twice they found another gear.
The semifinal: a comeback for the ages
Against England, Argentina were second best for long stretches — and won anyway. Two late goals turned the game, the winner coming from a trademark Messi assist to Lautaro Martínez. It sent the holders into a final against Spain and kept alive the dream of back-to-back World Cups, something no team has done since Brazil in 1962.
Messi’s records
This tournament has been a victory lap through the record books. Messi is the all-time leading World Cup goalscorer, is tied for this edition’s Golden Boot lead with eight goals, and became the first player to make 30+ World Cup appearances. He has scored in a record run of consecutive World Cup appearances — a level of longevity the game has never seen. The full record breakdown →
One game left
Now it comes down to 90 minutes (or more) against the best team in Europe. If Argentina win, it’s the perfect goodbye. If they don’t, it’s still been one of the great World Cup runs. Either way, you can relive the drama — who do you think wins?
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