Messi, 39, delivers ‘legendary’ masterclass as Argentina beat England to reach World Cup final

Lionel Messi produced one of the most remarkable performances of his World Cup career at the age of 39 as he inspired Argentina to a 2-1 victory over England and into the 2026 World Cup final.

The Argentina captain was at the heart of everything his side created in the semi-final, delivering two assists and completing nine successful dribbles in a display already being described by many observers as “عرض اسطوري” – “a legendary performance”.

According to football statistics specialists Opta, Messi is now the first player since detailed records began in 1966 to register at least nine successful dribbles and two assists in a single World Cup knockout match.

The victory sends Argentina into the final against Spain, with Messi on the verge of adding another historic chapter to his already extraordinary World Cup story.

Record-breaking creator on the biggest stage

Opta’s data shows that Messi has now provided 12 assists in World Cup finals tournaments across his career, with 10 of those coming in knockout matches – an unprecedented figure in the history of the competition.

No other player since 1966 has recorded more than eight assists at World Cup finals, meaning Messi now stands alone as the tournament’s all-time leading creator in the modern statistical era.

His two assists against England underlined the extent of his influence in high-pressure games, with the Argentina captain repeatedly finding gaps between England’s defensive lines and unlocking them with incisive passes.

These latest milestones add to a catalogue of records already held by Messi at World Cups, further reinforcing his status as one of the most decisive players the tournament has ever seen.

Dribbling numbers match his peak years

Messi’s performance did not only stand out for his vision and passing. Opta confirmed he completed nine successful dribbles against England – equalling his personal best in a single World Cup match.

Remarkably, he first set that mark as a 23-year-old against Germany at the 2010 World Cup, then matched it again at the age of 30 against Iceland in 2018. To repeat the feat at 39, in a high-intensity semi-final, has been held up as evidence that his close control and ability to beat defenders remain largely undiminished despite his age.

These exceptional numbers suggest that, even as he approaches his 40th birthday, Messi has retained the technical sharpness and balance that defined his early career, continuing to glide past opponents and create chances under intense pressure.

‘His genius ignores age’

The scale of Messi’s contribution against England has reignited debate around longevity at the highest level of the game. Commentators and supporters have pointed to his semi-final display as proof that the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner still possesses the capacity to decide the biggest matches almost single-handedly.

Many have argued that what he produced in this semi-final demonstrates that “his genius knows no age limit”, citing not only his dribbling and creativity but also his leadership in a tense, finely balanced encounter.

The match has joined a long list of defining World Cup nights for Messi, who has repeatedly shouldered the responsibility of guiding Argentina through knockout rounds over the course of his international career.

Eyes on Spain and another historic chapter

With Argentina now preparing to face Spain in the 2026 World Cup final, Messi heads into what could be one of the last major matches of his international career surrounded by fresh records and new statistical landmarks.

His latest display, and the data underpinning it, suggest he will once again be central to Argentina’s hopes of lifting the trophy. As he chases another title, the semi-final win over England may come to be remembered as the game that confirmed, even in his late thirties, that Lionel Messi remains one of football’s ultimate match-winners on the world stage.