Lionel Messi dropped yet another masterclass in the FIFA World Cup 2026, going past the French captain Kylian Mbappe. Although both Messi and Mbappe are tied in the Golden Boot race, Messi has 4 assists, one better than Mbappe, which can help him take the Golden Boot award.
Coming to the match, the Inter Miami star took control of the game in the second half of the match (precisely from the 70th minute). The Argentina captain first drew multiple defenders onto him before slipping a precise pass into the path of Enzo Fernandez, who fired home the equaliser in the 85th minute. Messi then started attacking from the flanks, playing on the wings, like he used to do during his time at Barcelona.
The Argentina captain then delivered a perfectly weighted pass on the head of the substitute Lautaro Martinez to head home the winner and send the Albiceleste to the finals. The defending champions are set to face La Roja in the final of the FIFA World Cup 2026 at MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.
Messi’s march to the final began with a hat-trick against Algeria in Argentina’s opening group-stage win, followed by a brace against Austria and a free-kick goal off the bench against Jordan. He then scored in the Round of 32 victory against Cabo Verde before registering a goal and an assist against Egypt in the Round of 16.
Lionel Messi World Cup Run Continues
Lionel Messi once again proved that age is merely a number with another match-defining display against England in the FIFA World Cup 2026 semifinal. According to Opta, the 39-year-old has now scored or assisted in 13 consecutive matches for club and country, the second-longest streak of his illustrious career, behind only his 14-game run in 2011.
Messi also completed nine successful dribbles against England, matching his personal best in a World Cup match, previously achieved against Iceland (2018) and Germany (2010). Nearly two decades into his career, the Argentine captain continues to redefine longevity while remaining football’s ultimate difference-maker.
FIFA World Cup 2026: Latest Golden Boot Ranking
| Rank | Player | Team | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lionel Messi | Argentina | 8 | 4 |
| 2 | Kylian Mbappe | France | 8 | 3 |
| 3 | Erling Haaland | Norway | 7 | 0 |
| 4 | Jude Bellingham | England | 6 | 1 |
| 5 | Harry Kane | England | 6 | 1 |
| 6 | Ousmane Dembele | France | 5 | 2 |
| 7 | Mikel Oyarzabal | Spain | 5 | 1 |
| 8 | Ismaila Sarr | Senegal | 4 | 1 |
| 9 | Julian Quinones | Mexico | 4 | 1 |
| 10 | Vinicius Junior | Brazil | 4 | 1 |
Story first published: Thursday, July 16, 2026, 4:43 [IST]
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