Lionel Messi Leads Argentina to World Cup Final with Two Crucial Assists

At 39, the "God of Football" Lionel Messi is once again heading to a World Cup final.
As a member of the Argentine national team, Messi had previously struggled in major tournaments until he finally brought a championship trophy to his home country at the 2021 Copa America.
When he set out to challenge for the World Cup title in Qatar in 2022 during his mid-30s, the term "Last Dance" was attached to his journey.
By winning the World Cup on that "final" stage, Messi's "myth" was completed.
However, Messi embarked on another challenge toward the world summit at the 2026 North and Central America World Cup, four years later.
Approaching 40, Messi is slower than he was four years ago, and his movement has further decreased.
Yet, his ability to dominate the pitch remains unchanged.
Even while walking for half of his total distance covered, he has repeatedly delivered decisive plays that secure victories for his team.
Messi shone brilliantly in the semifinal match against England held on July 16 (KST).
Whenever he touched the ball, multiple England players swarmed him to steal it or block his passing lanes.
Nevertheless, Messi attempted 54 passes, successfully delivering 43 (80%) to his teammates and creating four scoring opportunities.
Despite the intense marking and physical challenges, he attempted 11 dribbles and succeeded in 9 of them (82%).
He led both teams in both scoring chances created and successful dribbles.
The outcome of the match was also decided by Messi's feet.
In the 40th minute of the second half, Messi received the ball on the right side, and as opposing players closed in on him, he passed to Enzo Fernandez in the center.
Fernandez, who found space thanks to Messi, unleashed a powerful mid-range shot to equalize the score at 1-1.
In second-half stoppage time, Messi delivered a precise cross to the forehead of Lautaro Martinez, setting up the winning header.
Argentina won 2-1 and secured their spot in the final.
Messi set new World Cup records again on this day.
He extended his own record for the most all-time assists to 12.
He surpassed the late Argentine legend Diego Maradona (8 assists) to take sole possession of first place in this category after assisting the first goal in the round of 16 match against Egypt, which Argentina won 3-2, and added another assist in the quarterfinal match against Switzerland.
He also increased his record for the most career attacking points to 33 (21 goals, 12 assists).
He extended his record for the most consecutive World Cup matches with an attacking point, a streak that began in the Qatar tournament, to 11 games.
Having already reached an unprecedented level four years ago, Messi is taking one step at a time toward even dizzier heights that seem increasingly unreachable for others.
The final match against Spain, which may be Messi's "truly final World Cup match," will be held at New Jersey Stadium in New York, USA, on July 20 at 4:00 AM.
Messi is currently tied for the lead in scoring with France's Kylian Mbappe with 8 goals in this tournament.
If he surpasses Mbappe, he will receive his first-ever World Cup Golden Boot.
Messi is also challenging for the most Golden Ball awards, given to the tournament's best player.
He received this award in Brazil in 2014 and in the last tournament in Qatar.
Messi is the only player to have won the Golden Ball more than once.
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.